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

See Examples For:

give up the ghost

Enduring the dour drudgery of “Last Rites,” it’s never been clearer that it’s time to give up the ghost.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 4, 2025

Entering the penultimate month of a dire 2022, world equity indices don't want to give up the ghost yet on the near 10% rebound since Oct.

From Reuters ● Nov. 1, 2022

It wasn’t particularly dramatic, but it was a useful reminder that there are limits to what a smartphone can do before it’ll give up the ghost.

From The Verge ● Dec. 24, 2021

I imagined her saying “No use guys, I’m done,” in whatever language trout speak when they are about to give up the ghost.

From New York Times ● Mar. 10, 2019

The doctor recorded his regiment and company and dressed his wounds, but without much hope of success; the loss of blood being great, it was supposed he would soon give up the ghost.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party" by M.T. Anderson

Related Words

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