“Give up the ghost” is an English saying associated with death and giving up. Its origins may be traced to the Christian Bible. Other phrases used to describe death include “kicking the bucket” and “buying the farm.” The phrase can also refer to giving up on a business or romantic situation.
Give up the ghost is an English saying that is most commonly associated with ceasing to exist or function. The most common application of this idiom has to do with death, with the implication that at the point of death the body gives up the spirit or ghost, which is then free to move on to another sphere or realm. A slightly different application of ghost renunciation is used when an individual chooses to stop work on what is perceived to be a lost cause, or chooses to go out of business on some task that has proven beyond his or her capabilities.
The origins of the idiom forsake the ghost are sometimes traced to earlier versions of the Christian Bible. Versions as early as the 16th century included the phrase’s use in the Book of Acts of the Apostles, found in the New Testament of Christian scripture. In this particular text, Herod is struck down by an angel of the Lord and is said to give up his spirit, or die.
In English-speaking countries, “giving up the ghost” is just one of many colorful expressions used to describe the act of dying. Phrases like dying, kicking the bucket, cashing one’s chips, going for a nap and buying the farm are just some of the idioms and expressions that are used instead of simply saying that an individual is dead. Some of the colorful phrases used to describe death are meant to imply that the deceased’s spirit is moving into another realm of existence, while others that are considered less sombre are sometimes used to ease the pain that occurs when a person loved one dies or perhaps even celebrate the death of an individual who is not particularly popular.
While often dealing with death, a broader application of this phrase has to do with simply giving up. For example, if an individual works hard for the success of a business but is unable to make any profit from the operation, he or she may choose to give up the ghost and close the business. Similarly, the phrase can also refer to giving up a romantic situation, such as a suitor giving up on the ghost when it becomes obvious that the object of his affection will never return those romantic feelings.
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