ghost

not a ghost of a chance

if someone does not have a ghost of a chance, they are not at all likely to succeed. Against competition like that, they didn't have the ghost of a chance of winning. (sometimes + of + doing something)

See also: chance

the ghost/spectre at the feast (British, literary)

something or someone that spoils your enjoyment by making you remember something unpleasant. John was the spectre at the feast, always reminding her of her broken promise.

See also: feast, spectre

give up the ghost

1. to stop trying to do something because you know that you will not succeed. She'd been trying to break into acting for ten years without success and was just about to give up the ghost.

2. if a machine gives up the ghost, it stops working. We've had the same television for fifteen years and I think it's finally about to give up the ghost.

See also: give

lay the ghost of something/someone (to rest)

to finally stop being worried or upset by something or someone that has worried or upset you for a long time. With one stunning performance, Chelsea have laid to rest the ghost of their humiliating defeat at Old Trafford last season.

See also: lay

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a ghost of a chance

a very small possibility. There's not a ghost of a chance that he'll be promoted.

See also: chance

give up the ghost

1. to stop trying. She'd been trying to break into acting for ten years without success and was just about to give up the ghost.

2. to stop operating. He had not been to town since spring because his car had given up the ghost.

3. to die. My great-grandfather gave up the ghost a week after moving into a nursing home.

See also: give