yield up the ghost
For a person, to die.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The old machine finally yielded up the ghost.”
“After struggling with the illness for months, the patient eventually yielded up the ghost in his sleep.”
“The ancient king, having ruled for over fifty years, finally yielded up the ghost as the sun set behind the castle walls.”
- 01
ghost at the feast
A presence that mars one's enjoyment by causing guilt or reviving unwelcome memories.
- 02
ghost from one's past
Something unpleasant from one's past that "haunts" them (makes them feel uneasy) to the present day.
- 03
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.
- 04
give up the ghost
To cease clinging to life; to die.
- 05
yield the ghost
To give up the ghost.
Last updated August 10, 2026