given up the ghost
Ceased to function
Given up the ghost means died or stopped functioning.
The expression has biblical origins, where giving up one's ghost meant releasing one's spirit at death.
Today it applies equally to people and things: My old laptop finally gave up the ghost.
The phrase often carries a note of finality after a prolonged decline, suggesting something held on as long as it could before expiring.
- ceasedCame to an end
- conk outCease functioning suddenly
- dieStop being alive
- defunctNo longer existing
- expiredNo longer in effect
shuffled off this mortal coil · perished · broke · pass away · demised · bought the farm · breakdown · stopped · bite the dust · flatline · push up daisies · seize up · meet one's maker · kick the bucket · cash in one's chips · failed · malfunction · go belly up
given up the ghostcome back to life
risen from the dead · survived · pulled through · thriving · alive and kicking
given up the ghostsoldiered on
Persisted through adversity
persevered · kept going · pressed on · never say die · carried on
give, given, gives, giving, giver, givers, ghost, ghosts, ghostly