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Give up the Ghost

What Does "Give up the Ghost" Mean?

homeidiomsGive up the Ghost
"Give up the ghost" is an English idiom. It means "to die or cease to function, often used when referring to machines or vehicles."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "give up the ghost" used in a sentence:
  • The old car finally gave up the ghost and stopped running after many years of use.
  • She was saddened when her beloved pet cat gave up the ghost after a long and happy life.
  • They knew it was time to replace their computer when it started to slow down and give up the ghost.
meaning for give up the ghost

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Give up the Ghost" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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