lay down arms
Cease all hostilities
To lay down arms is to stop fighting, either by literally surrendering weapons or by agreeing to end hostilities.
The phrase appears most often in contexts of war, rebellion, or armed conflict, where one side agrees to cease combat.
The rebels finally laid down their arms after months of negotiation.
It can also be used figuratively for ending any prolonged dispute or struggle.
- ceasefireAgreed halt to fighting
- call a truceFormally end conflict
- truceAgreed halt to hostilities
- surrenderCease resistance, yield
- wave the white flagAcknowledge defeat formally
capitulation · pacifism · treaty · peace talks · peace · make peace · armistice · accord · neutrality · bend · nonviolence · bow · fold · demilitarization · withdrawal · holster · white flag · olive branch
- surrendersurrender, surrenders, surrendering, I surrender, capitulate
lay down armstake up arms
Prepare to fight militarily
go to war · wage war · open fire · bear arms · keep fighting
lay down armsfight on
Continue resisting or struggling
resist · hold out · keep fighting · never surrender · defy
lays, laid, laying, layer, down, downer, downs, downed, downing