lay down (one's) arms

lay down (one's) arms

1. Literally, to lay down or otherwise relinquish one's weapon in the context of a military engagement. We have you surrounded! Instruct your troops to lay down their arms!
2. To stop pursuing military engagement, as part of a truce, treaty, or surrender; to stop combat. We're hoping that the various militant factions in the region will begin laying down their arms if the peace treaty is accepted.
3. By extension, to cease fighting, arguing, or being hostile. We're asking employees to lay down their arms while we investigate this issue. I think we should all just lay down our arms and try to have a calm, rational conversation about this.
See also: arm, down, lay
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

lay down one's arms

Fig. to put one's gun, sword, club, etc., down; to stop fighting; to surrender. The prisoners were instructed to lay down their arms. The soldiers laid down their arms and surrendered.
See also: arm, down, lay
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

lay down your ˈarms

stop fighting in a war etc: Tell your men to lay down their arms — the war’s over.
See also: arm, down, lay
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • lay down arms
  • lay down your arms
  • lay down on the job
  • lay aside (something) for (someone or something)
  • lay aside for
  • lie by
  • lay (something) on (someone or something)
  • lay on
  • lay something on someone
  • lay a hand on (one)