give up the ghost
Meaning: To die, or to cease functioning entirely.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Category: Body & Senses
Origin: In medieval Christian belief, the ghost or soul was thought to depart the body at death; to release it was to surrender life itself.
More idioms — Body & Senses
- make a fist of — To accomplish something with reasonable competence or success.
- body English — Subtle body movements a person makes to coax a moving object toward a desired direction,…
- all mouth and trousers — Full of loud boasting and empty talk, lacking substance or follow-through.
- turn on one's heel — To suddenly depart or walk away, often in a dramatic or dismissive manner.
- what's eating you — What is bothering or irritating you?
- old flame — A former romantic partner, especially one whose memory still stirs affection.
More English idioms
- live in the past — To be preoccupied with previous events and unable to move forward in life.
- hammer and tongs — With great vigor and force; in a determined and vigorous manner.
- in black and white — Stated explicitly and in writing; absolutely clear and unambiguous.
- string attached — A hidden condition or requirement that makes something less advantageous than it initiall…
- rhyme or reason — Any logical sense or reasonable explanation.
- drop in the bucket — A contribution or action so small it is negligible compared to a massive problem.
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