What does the expression "give up the ghost" mean?

Answer 1

The expression '(to) give up the ghost' has two usages :

1 (about a person) to die
2 (about a machine etc) to stop working properly and to be beyond repair

Answer 2

Giving Up The Ghost

Answer 3

Give up the ghost

Meaning

To die, or in the case of inanimate objects, to cease working.

Origin

There are many uses of this phrase in the Bible, including Acts 12:23 (King James Version: "And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost."

The metaphorical use of the phrase, i.e. in relation to something not living and not able to become a ghost, is 19th century. For example, James Kirke Paulding's, Westward Ho!, 1832, includes:

"At length it gave up the ghost, and, like an over-cultivated intellect, became incurably barren."

Answer 4

The expression comes from the Bible. It is one of the reasons for the schism between Judaism and Christianity. This is because Jews believe that the Messiah could not die so if Jesus actually died then He could not be The Messiah. Christians believe that Christ died and was resurrected through the power of the Holy Spirit. The arguement is compounded by the report of Christ's crucifixion in the Gospels. In Matthew, Chapter 28 Verse 50, it says 'Jesus, when he had cried out again, with a loud voice yielded up the ghost.' This was, in effect, the moment of death. Mark Chapter 16, verse 37 says 'And Jesus cried with a loud voice and gave up the ghost.' Luke describes it thus Chapter 23, verse 46 'And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice He said 'Father into thy hands I commend my spirit and, having said thus, He gave up the ghost.'. John , Chapter 20, verse 30 says 'When Jesus had, therefore, received the vinegar He said 'It is finished.' and He bowed his head and gave up the ghost.'

The controversy relates to the King James translation of a particular Hebrew word 'ruachim' which, unfortunately has two meanings. It can mean 'breath' when pronounced ru-a-c- heem, or 'ghost' when pronounced 'ru akim' If Jesus gave up the 'ghost' then he died. If he just 'breathed' but was still alive then he could be the Messiah and would not have resurrected since He would not have been dead in the first place. I leave you to decide which it was.

The fact that the Romans thought He was dead, however, meant that they did not break His legs, which was customary in crucifixions to speed up death. The Messiah appears in Old Testament prophesies as being intact saying 'No bone of His shall be broken.' The spear thrust into His side went between the ribs and did not break any of those bones either.

Anyway, after all of that the answer to your question is that to give up the ghost means to give up or die.

Answer 5

Gave Up The Ghost

Answer 6

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
What does the expression "give up the ghost" mean?

Answer 7

"Give up the ghost" can also mean to give up trying. For instance, if you are dead, your ghost may still remain if you were murdered or otherwise want to get even with someone. However, when you "give up the ghost" that means you are no longer trying to get even, i.e. you have given up trying.

Answer 8

It is a play on a phrase from the bible. In its extreme form it means to die - our soul/ghost leaves our body. In its less extreme form it means to just give up. If one has a difficult time solving a problem, for example - one has exhausted all avenues, so he will give up the ghost.

Answer 9

It usually means to die, although it can mean to give up an essential quality, as well.

Answer 10

Not sure, maybe the past or a memory? Or it could mean to die. Try looking on Google.