Elamur: [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [Parse](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/parse/) · **Dictionary** · [Translate](https://md.translate.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [Research](https://md.research.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [MCP](https://mcp.elamur.ai/) · [Groupants](https://md.groupants.elamur.ai/free/en/)

[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/gave-up-the-ghost/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [G](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/g/) / gave up the ghost

# gave up the ghost

phrase (verb phrase, idiom: give up the ghost, gives, gave, has given up the ghost, giving)

«gave up the ghost» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

1. (euphemism, old) died.
2. (humorous, very common) a machine or object stopped working for good: «the old car finally gave up the ghost».
3. (figurative) stopped trying; gave up hope.

### In the lessons

An old phrase (once meaning the soul leaving the body) now mostly used jokingly about machines, phones, cars and old shoes; everyday and humorous, all regions. In old books and religious texts it means died.

### Examples

- Our old washing machine finally gave up the ghost.
- My phone gave up the ghost just as I was calling Mum.
- The old horse gave up the ghost after a long life.
- In the story, the knight gave up the ghost on the battlefield.
- Grandad's car gave up the ghost on the motorway.
- The team gave up the ghost after the third goal.
- These trainers have given up the ghost; there's a hole in each.
- The heater gave up the ghost in the middle of winter.

### Note

Trap: no real ghost. About machines it means broken beyond repair; about people (old style) it means died. Plain words: died, broke down, gave up.