the ghost walks

the ghost walks

An expression used in theater to explain that actors will perform because they have been assured of payment. The phrase possibly originated when an actor playing Hamlet's father (who appears in Hamlet as a ghost) refused to act unless he was paid. The ghost walks today because we all just got paid!
See also: ghost, walk
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

the ghost walks

money is available and salaries will be paid.
This expression has been explained in theatrical phrasebooks by the story that an actor playing the ghost of Hamlet's father refused to ‘walk again’ until the cast's overdue salaries had been paid.
See also: ghost, walk
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • another lie nailed to the counter
  • batten down the hatches
  • batten down the hatches, to
  • be all things to all men
  • be all things to all men/people
  • all things to all men, to be
  • beat (one) to the punch
  • beat someone to the punch
  • beat to the punch
  • chopped liver
References in periodicals archive
During years conducting the ghost walks, the blue badge tour guide has not seen one.
We just saw the ghost walk advertised and thought it would be a laugh on a Friday.
GHOSTS OF NEW STREET; Today's New Street Station is a far cry from the soot-coated, grimy days of steam, but beneath its bright new gleaming exterior the ghosts of its past still linger on, late at night, and especially on platform four! MIKE LOCKLEY reports..
The ghost walks around Llandaff Cathedral begin at the stone cross on the cathedral green Jim Cowan leads ghost walks in Llandaff, which have been ranked third best British attraction under pounds 10 by Essential Travel online magazine
Spooky ghost walks named top attraction; Haunted tours rated higher than Stonehenge
It's one of the stops on the Ghost Walks of Bath, starting at the Garrick's Head.
Top 10 Scary half-term breaks; FANCY some Halloween fun? GILL WILLIAMS has a half-term break for you
During three years conducting the ghost walks, the blue badge tour guide has not seen one.
To find out more about the ghost walks, contact Michael at Midland Discovery Tours on 07957 422568.
THE GHOSTS OF PLATFORM 4; New Street haunted by passengers who killed themselves ...all at the same spot!
Free, fun and theatrical, the Ghost Walks are designed for the macabre-minded of absolutely every age - from terri-fied tots to ghoulish grannies.
Formerly of the Birmingham Rep and First Chance Youth Theatre, Ghost Walks' director Juliet Raynsford says: "The Ghost Walks combine walking, theatre and real-life tales for a total spine-tingling immersion into Birmingham's ghoulish past.
"We hope that the Ghost Walks will change the way people see Brum - that it's an environment where stories happen, and not just a place to crash through on the way to somewhere else."
Ghostly twist to city walks
The Ghost Walks are held at 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays until April, starting from the Guildhall.
The Ghost Walk of Worcester invites you to discover another side to the city.
Take walk in footsteps of ghosts
Penny Russell, tourism development officer at Dudley Council, said: "The ghost walks are always popular and we are looking forward to another busy season.
Spooky town tour for intrepid ghostbusters; DUDLEY