Dictionary entry
give-up the ghost
verb
死
断气
In use
The old man finally gave up the ghost last night after a long battle with illness.
After years of faithful service, our beloved dog gave up the ghost in his sleep.
In the tragedy, the protagonist gives up the ghost in a dramatic final scene.
subject + give(s) up the ghost
He gives up the ghost after a long illness.
他在长期患病后断气了。
subject + gave up the ghost
The soldier gave up the ghost on the battlefield.
那名士兵在战场上牺牲了。
subject + has/have given up the ghost
The old horse has given up the ghost.
那匹老马已经死了。
Common mistakes
The old car finally gave up ghost.The old car finally gave up the ghost.
该习语中 'the' 是固定部分，不可省略。中文无冠词，学习者易遗漏。
The patient gave in the ghost.The patient gave up the ghost.
应使用固定短语 'give up the ghost'，而不是 'give in the ghost'。'give in' 意为屈服，不表示死亡。
Connections
Confusing words
- kick the bucket
- 死，翘辫子 · 与 give up the ghost 同义，但 kick the bucket 更俚语化，常带幽默或随意色彩；而 give up the ghost 略带文学或古老气息
- pass away
- 去世（委婉语） · pass away 是正式且尊重的委婉说法，而 give up the ghost 是非正式或文学性表达
Dictionary facts from ECDICT.