give up the ghost

Definition & Meaning of "give up the ghost"

to give up the ghost

PHRASE

to stop living

to [give] up the ghost definition and meaning

Idiom

Informal

What is the origin of the idiom "give up the ghost" and when to use it?

The idiom "give up the ghost" can be traced back to the Bible, particularly in the King James Version of the New Testament, where it is used in the Book of Matthew to describe the moment of death. It means to cease living or functioning.

(of a machine) to fail to work properly

Idiom

Informal

What is the origin of the idiom "give up the ghost" and when to use it?

The idiom "give up the ghost" finds its origin in religious and biblical references, specifically from the King James Version of the Bible. The phrase is derived from the concept of the soul or spirit departing from a person's body upon death. It is now used metaphorically to describe the moment when a machine, device, or mechanical system ceases to function properly or completely fails. The expression implies that the machine has reached the end of its operational life or has become irreparably damaged, likening its failure to the final departure of the soul from a deceased body.

to put an stop to an activity one knows has very little or no chance of achieving success

Example

The ancient computer struggled to keep up with modern software and eventually gave up the ghost, refusing to start.

After a long battle with illness, the elderly man peacefully gave up the ghost in his sleep.

After years of reliable service, the washing machine finally gave up the ghost and had to be replaced.

The marathon runner pushed himself to the limit and collapsed as he crossed the finish line, seemingly ready to give up the ghost.

When the power went out during the storm, all the electronic devices in the house gave up the ghost.

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Definition & Meaning of "give up the ghost"

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