ENGLISH
REFERENCE

give up the ghost

idiom
Meaning

To cease clinging to life; to die.


Origin

disputed origin

Literally, to release one's spirit or soul from the body at death. From Middle English "gaf up þe gost", "ȝave up þe gost", from Old English phrases as "hēo āġeaf hire gāst" (literally, "she gave up her ghost [spirit]"), "þæt iċ gāst mīnne āġifan mōte" (literally, "that I must give up my ghost [spirit]"). Compare German den Geist aufgeben, Dutch de geest geven, French rendre l'âme. Perhaps most notable and survived in modern English for being used in traditional translation during the death of Jesus during His crucifixion

Examples
SIMPLE

The old car finally gave up the ghost.

CONTEXTUAL

My grandmother's TV gave up the ghost after twenty years of daily use.

COMPLEX

The ancient oak tree, which had stood for three centuries, gave up the ghost during the violent winter storm.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    don't give up your day job

    Somewhat sarcastic but usually good-natured advice used to criticise a person's degree of talent (especially in music or other performing arts), implying that they are unlikely to be successful.

  2. 02

    ghost at the feast

    A presence that mars one's enjoyment by causing guilt or reviving unwelcome memories.

  3. 03

    ghost from one's past

    Something unpleasant from one's past that "haunts" them (makes them feel uneasy) to the present day.

  4. 04

    ghost home

    A residence intentionally kept vacant by an absentee owner, especially a foreign investor, as a financially safe asset to be liquidated at a convenient time.

  5. 05

    give a damn

    To be concerned about, have an interest in, to care (about something).

  6. 06

    give a fuck

    To care; to give a shit.

  7. 07

    give a good account of oneself

    To act in a creditable manner.

  8. 08

    give a hang

    give a hoot; give a damn (to care about; to place value on something)

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