give up the ghost

Idioms  

1. Die, as in At ten o'clock he gave up the ghost. This expression, which employs ghost in the sense of “the soul or spirit,” may itself be dying out. [Late 1300s]

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Example Sentences

The company says it’ll provide three years of monthly security updates for the X20 after launch, three years of OS updates, and to ensure the hardware doesn’t give up the ghost before software support ends, it’s also extending its normal manufacturer’s warranty by an extra year.

From The Verge

To Colette’s credit, she held on for an hour, but then we had to give up the ghost to find a restroom.

From Los Angeles Times

Groaning, it’d nearly give up the ghost when we’d complicate things, adding a dusty cloud of confectioners’ sugar and chewy chopped dates.

From Salon

Carlile and the twins were in Europe touring on 2009’s “Give Up the Ghost” when they got word that a close friend of the band, who the Hanseroths had known since high school, had killed himself.

From Seattle Times

Locks freeze, windshields ice up, batteries give up the ghost.

From New York Times

Related Words

• bow
• break down
• buckle
• capitulate
• cave in
• cease
• defer
• give in
• give way
• go down
• pass away
• perish
• quit
• wilt
• yield