PhrasesHub

Give up the ghost

    Definitions

      • to die or stop functioning
        To describe the cessation of life or the complete and permanent end of a process or situation

      • to stop trying or hoping for something
        To express the act of giving up or abandoning a goal, desire, or effort due to lack of success or progress

    Examples of Give up the ghost

    • The old car had seen better days, and it was time to give up the ghost.

      In this example, "give up the ghost" is used figuratively to mean abandoning or relinquishing something that is no longer useful or in good condition, in this case, the old car. The term "ghost" is used metaphorically to symbolize the spirit or essence of the car, and "give up" means to surrender or let go of it.

    • After months of struggling with her health, the patient finally gave up the ghost.

      In this example, "give up the ghost" is used to signify the moment when someone passes away or dies, as if their spirit or life force has left their body. "Ghost" is used metaphorically to symbolize the person's essence or soul, and "give up" means to relinquish or surrender it.

    • The lost cause had run its course, and it was time to give up the ghost.

      In this example, "give up the ghost" is used in a similar way to the first example, but this time it is used to refer to a failed or hopeless situation or event. "Ghost" is used metaphorically to symbolize the spirit or essence of the cause, and "give up" means to abandon or surrender it.

    • The reluctant leader finally realized that it was time to give up the ghost of his past mistakes and take charge of the present.

      In this example, "give up the ghost" is used to represent the act of letting go or relinquishing something, in this case, the burden of the leader's past failures or misjudgments. "Ghost" is used metaphorically to symbolize the weight or memory of these mistakes, and "give up" means to surrender or abandon it. The use of "ghost" also represents the psychological or emotional impact of these mistakes, which can sometimes be difficult to let go of or forget.

    • The defendant finally gave up the ghost and admitted guilt.

      This idiom is used when someone finally accepts or acknowledges something, typically after resisting or denying it for a long time. In this example, "give up the ghost" means for the defendant to confess or admit that they are guilty.

    • The patient's condition took a turn for the worse, and the doctor knew that they were just waiting for the old man to give up the ghost.

      In this example, "give up the ghost" suggests that the patient is nearing the end of their life and will soon die. The expression "take a turn for the worse" suggests that the patient's condition has rapidly deteriorated, implying that death may not be too far away.

    • The athlete collapsed on the field, and everyone knew that he had given up the ghost.

      "Give up the ghost" is used here to indicate that the athlete is no longer able to continue competing or playing their sport due to exhaustion, injury, or some other reason. In other words, they have conceded defeat or accepted that they are no longer able to continue.

    • The CEO finally realized that the company was in serious trouble and decided it was time to give up the ghost.

      In this example, "give up the ghost" is used to indicate that the CEO has accepted that the company is failing or in a state of crisis and has no other option but to accept defeat. This may include making difficult decisions, such as laying off employees or filing for bankruptcy, in order to salvage what is left of the company.


    Conclusion

    This idiom is often used in a somber or resigned tone to convey the idea of an ultimate and irrevocable end. It can also be used humorously to describe giving up on a difficult or futile task. In both cases, the phrase implies a sense of finality or inevitability.

    Origin of "Give up the ghost"

    The origin of this idiom can be traced back to the Bible, specifically the Book of Job in the Old Testament. In this book, Job is described as being so overwhelmed by his suffering and losses that he wishes for death or for God to take his life. One translation of this passage reads, "If I wait, the grave is mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness. I have said to corruption, Thou art my father: to the worm, Thou art my mother, and my sister. And where is now my hope? As for my hope, who shall see it?" (Job 17:13-15, King James Version).

    This passage, and others like it, have been interpreted as an early reference to the idiom "give up the ghost". It is thought that the phrase was used to describe the final and complete surrender of one's life or will to God or a higher power. Over time, the phrase evolved to have a more secular meaning, referring to any kind of final and irreversible end. Today, it is commonly used in both literal and figurative contexts, making it a versatile and widely understood idiom.