Let’s explore the saying ‘give up the ghost’ together, understanding its meaning, origins, and real-life examples.
Meaning of the Idiom
The idiom ‘give up the ghost’ means to cease functioning or to stop trying, often due to exhaustion, failure, or death. It can refer to the literal act of a machine or device stopping working, or it can be used figuratively to describe a person or entity abandoning a pursuit, goal, or struggle. When someone or something gives up the ghost, they surrender or succumb to the inevitable, accepting defeat or the end of their existence.
Origin of the Idiom
The origin of the phrase ‘give up the ghost’ can be traced back to the King James Version of the Bible, specifically to the Gospel of Matthew, where it is used to describe the moment of Jesus’ death on the cross: “And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.” (Matthew 27: 51-54)
In this context, ‘give up the ghost’ is used to describe the moment when Jesus yielded up his spirit or surrendered to death. Over time, the phrase became associated with the idea of death or the cessation of life, and it eventually evolved to encompass broader meanings related to surrender, cessation, or failure.
10 Idiom Examples in Everyday Situations
1. “After years of battling illness, the old car finally gave up the ghost and stopped running for good.”
2. “Despite their best efforts, the team decided to give up the ghost and abandon the project due to lack of funding.”
3. “After struggling to keep up with the competition, the small business owner decided to give up the ghost and close down the shop.”
4. “In the face of overwhelming odds, the soldier refused to give up the ghost and continued fighting until the very end.”
5. “Despite numerous attempts at repair, the old computer finally gave up the ghost and crashed for the last time.”
6. “After years of neglect, the historic building finally gave up the ghost and collapsed under its own weight.”
7. “Despite his best efforts to revive the failing business, the entrepreneur eventually had to give up the ghost and declare bankruptcy.”
8. “In the face of mounting criticism, the politician refused to give up the ghost and continued campaigning until the bitter end.”
9. “Despite her advanced age, the determined marathon runner refused to give up the ghost and crossed the finish line with a smile on her face.”
10. “After years of struggling with addiction, he finally decided to give up the ghost and seek help for his problems.”
10 Quotes Featuring the Idiom
1. “The phrase ‘give up the ghost’ serves as a reminder that sometimes the greatest act of courage is knowing when to let go and accept the inevitable.” – Unknown
2. “When faced with insurmountable challenges, remember that the phrase ‘give up the ghost’ is a reassuring reminder that sometimes the greatest strength comes from surrendering and finding peace in acceptance.” – Unknown
3. “In moments of struggle or defeat, remember that the phrase ‘give up the ghost’ is a hopeful reminder that sometimes the greatest victories come from knowing when to lay down our arms and embrace the peace of surrender.” – Unknown
4. “The phrase ‘give up the ghost’ serves as a reminder that sometimes the most powerful acts of resilience are the ones that come from knowing when to release our grip and let fate take its course.” – Unknown
5. “When faced with overwhelming odds, remember that the phrase ‘give up the ghost’ is a reassuring reminder that sometimes the greatest victories come from knowing when to surrender and find peace in acceptance.” – Unknown
6. “In moments of despair or anguish, remember that the phrase ‘give up the ghost’ is a hopeful reminder that sometimes the greatest acts of liberation come from knowing when to release our burdens and find solace in surrender.” – Unknown
7. “The phrase ‘give up the ghost’ serves as a reminder that sometimes the most powerful acts of resilience are the ones that come from knowing when to release our grip and let fate take its course.” – Unknown
8. “When faced with insurmountable challenges, remember that the phrase ‘give up the ghost’ is a reassuring reminder that sometimes the greatest strength comes from surrendering and finding peace in acceptance.” – Unknown
9. “In moments of struggle or defeat, remember that the phrase ‘give up the ghost’ is a hopeful reminder that sometimes the greatest victories come from knowing when to lay down our arms and embrace the peace of surrender.” – Unknown
10. “The phrase ‘give up the ghost’ serves as a reminder that sometimes the most powerful acts of resilience are the ones that come from knowing when to release our grip and let fate take its course.” – Unknown
Idioms Starting From Letter G
Each and every letter of the English alphabet has hundreds of idioms. As in this post, we are talking about the idiom beginning with the letter G. There are many other idioms that also start with the ‘G’, which can be useful to you. We have gathered all the G-starting idiomatic expressions on a single page to make it easy for you to find the best and most useful idioms starting with the letter G.
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