ghost (redirected from ghostlike)

*pale as a ghost and *pale as death

very pale. (*Also: as ~.) Laura came into the room, as pale as a ghost. "What happened?" her friends gasped. What's the matter? You're pale as death!

See also: pale

*white as a sheet and *white as a ghost; *white as snow; *white as the driven snow

[of someone] extremely pale, as if frightened. (*Also: as ~.) Marilyn turned as white as a sheet when the policeman told her that her son had been in a car wreck. Did something scare you? You're white as a sheet! Jane made up the bed with her best linen sheets, which are always as white as snow. We have a new kitten whose fur is white as the driven snow.

See also: sheet, white

ghost of a chance

even the slightest chance. (Usually negative.) She can't do it. She doesn't have a ghost of a chance. There is just a ghost of a chance that I'll be there on time.

See also: chance

give up the ghost

Euph. to die. (Fixed order. Often used to describe machines breaking down.) The old man gave up the ghost. My poor old car finally gave up the ghost.

See also: give, up

---

not a ghost of a chance

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

See the ghost at the feast, lay the ghost of

See also: chance

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. (humorous) 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, up

lay the ghost of something/somebody (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 lay cards on the table, lay eyes on, send on a guilt trip, get hands on, give life

See also: lay

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

---

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

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

3. 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.

See also: give, up