Give up the ghost
verb
To die or stop working.
After twenty years of use, my car finally gave up the ghost.
Often appears as...
- to give up the ghost suddenly
- the machine gave up the ghost
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
verb
To stop trying or give up.
After years of trying to make their relationship work, they finally gave up the ghost and split up.
Often appears as...
- finally give up the ghost
- give up the ghost on the dream
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
verb
To die or stop working.
After twenty years of use, my car finally gave up the ghost.
Often appears as...
- to give up the ghost suddenly
- the machine gave up the ghost
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
verb
To stop trying or give up.
After years of trying to make their relationship work, they finally gave up the ghost and split up.
Often appears as...
- finally give up the ghost
- give up the ghost on the dream
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Literal End
Refers to the actual end of life or function, often used for inanimate objects or humor.
My old refrigerator finally gave up the ghost after years of repair.
Pro Tip 2/3Humorous Tone
It can add a light-hearted or humorous spin when talking about something ceasing to function.
My phone gave up the ghost right in the middle of my call.
Pro Tip 3/3Non-living Things
More commonly used to describe machines or devices failing, not people dying.
After the storm, my computer gave up the ghost.
Pro Tip 1/3Literal End
Refers to the actual end of life or function, often used for inanimate objects or humor.
My old refrigerator finally gave up the ghost after years of repair.
Pro Tip 2/3Humorous Tone
It can add a light-hearted or humorous spin when talking about something ceasing to function.
My phone gave up the ghost right in the middle of my call.
Pro Tip 3/3Non-living Things
More commonly used to describe machines or devices failing, not people dying.
After the storm, my computer gave up the ghost.
Pro Tip 1/3Literal End
Refers to the actual end of life or function, often used for inanimate objects or humor.
My old refrigerator finally gave up the ghost after years of repair.
Pro Tip 2/3Humorous Tone
It can add a light-hearted or humorous spin when talking about something ceasing to function.
My phone gave up the ghost right in the middle of my call.
Pro Tip 3/3Non-living Things
More commonly used to describe machines or devices failing, not people dying.
After the storm, my computer gave up the ghost.
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