gives up the ghost
Stops working permanently
To give up the ghost is to die or cease functioning.
The phrase comes from the idea of the spirit leaving the body at death: He gave up the ghost at ninety-three.
It applies equally to machines and projects that finally fail: My old laptop gave up the ghost last week.
The expression has a slightly humorous or resigned tone, acknowledging inevitable endings.
- breaks downStops functioning properly
- expiresComes to an end
- demiseCessation of existence
- failsDoes not succeed
- go belly upBecome insolvent or defunct
on its last legs · die · conk out · swan song · pass away · malfunctions · kick the bucket · buy the farm · bite the dust · cash in one's chips · flatline · finale · final curtain · cessation · collapses · fizzle out · caput · perish
gives up the ghostcomes to life
Becomes animate or active
is born · comes into being · awakens · revives · comes back to life
gives up the ghoststarts up
Begins operating
fires up · boots up · kicks into gear · powers on · soldiers on
gives up the ghostperseveres
Continues despite difficulty
soldiers on · presses on · digs in · keeps going · carries on
give, gives, given, giving, giver, givers, ghost, ghosts, ghostly