The phrase "giving up the ghost" means to die or expire. It is spelled with a hard "g" sound at the beginning, followed by the short "i" and "v" sounds. The "ng" sound is represented by the letters "i" and "v" at the end of the word. The stress is on the first syllable "giv". In IPA phonetic transcription, it is spelled /ˈɡɪvɪŋ ʌp ðə ɡoʊst/. This phrase has been in use since the 16th century and is still commonly used today.
"Giving up the ghost" is an idiomatic expression, derived from the biblical phrase "to give up the ghost," used to depict the act of dying or ceasing to live. This phrase is often employed to convey the idea of a person or living being surrendering their life force or departing from the mortal realm. It metaphorically suggests the moment when the soul or spirit departs from the physical body.
The term can be traced back to the King James Version of the Bible, particularly in the New Testament, where it is used in multiple instances to describe the moment of death. It implies that the departing soul is releasing its hold on life, completely letting go or relinquishing its earthly existence. This expression is typically used in a solemn or poetic context to indicate the finality of death.
Furthermore, "giving up the ghost" may be employed more broadly to indicate a figurative or metaphorical demise, signifying the cessation or abandonment of an activity, a cause, or a belief. In these instances, it suggests a sense of resignation or acceptance of failure or defeat. It can also convey a person's decision to quit or abandon a difficult task or pursuit due to frustration, exhaustion, or a lack of hope.
In summary, "giving up the ghost" primarily denotes the act of dying or succumbing to death. It can also be used metaphorically to express the abandonment of a cause or the act of quitting a challenging endeavor.