pay with one's life; forfeit one's life
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to pay for a life with one's own; to forfeit one's life (as punishment or retribution)
formalUsed in legal or historical contexts, often referring to the concept of 'a life for a life'.
Àn按
zhào照
jiù旧
lǜ律
，
shā杀
rén人
zhě者
xū需
dǐng顶
mìng命
。
According to ancient law, a murderer had to pay with his life.
Tā他
chuǎng闯
xià下
dà大
huò祸
，
yǐ以
wéi为
yào要
dǐng顶
mìng命
，
jié结
guǒ果
bèi被
pàn判
le了
zhòng重
xíng刑
。
He caused a major disaster, thinking he would have to forfeit his life, but in the end he was given a heavy sentence.
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
Zhè这
chǎng场
shì事
gù故
bìng并
fēi非
gù故
yì意
，
bù不
yīng应
yāo要
qiú求
sī司
jī机
dǐng顶
mìng命
。
The accident was not intentional, so the driver shouldn't be required to pay with his life.