I hope you will never be asked to lay down your lives for your principles.
Etymology: based on the literal meaning of give your life(= to die saving someone else or in a war)
lay down (one's) life
To sacrifice one's life (for someone or something); to die (for a purpose). Our soldiers are out there laying down their lives for our freedom, and we should show our support.To lay down one's life to save a stranger is the ultimate sacrifice.
lay down one's life (for someone or something)
Fig. to sacrifice one's life for someone or something. Would you lay down your life for your country?There aren't many things for which I'd lay down my life.