Crossword Genius

Stop taking spirit and stop working (4,2,3,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

give up the ghost

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'stop working' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'stop taking spirit' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'stop' could be 'giveup' (synonyms) and 'giveup' is located in the answer.
'spirit' could be 'ghost' (spirit can mean a ghost) and 'ghost' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'the' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'and' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for give up the ghost that I've seen before include "Stop working" , "about to die" , "Decide to write for oneself" , "Fail to go on" , "let someone else play Hamlet's father?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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