# yield up the ghost

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/yield-up-the-ghost
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

For a person, to die.

## Examples

- 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.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.