Question

how do i remove a previous element to the triggering one with jquery?

i have tried:

$(this).prev().remove();
$(this).next().remove();

but nothing works!

Answer 1

Be sure jQuery is properly referenced, and all of your syntax is correct:

$("li").click(function(){
  $(this).prev().remove();
});

Works with:

<ul>
  <li><p>Don't delete me!</p></li>
  <li><p>Click me to delete him!</p></li>
  <li><p>Click me twice, to take 'em both out!</p></li>
  <br/> <!-- line break added after OP's comments -->
  <li><p>Click me to remove the line-break!</p></li>
</ul>