give one’s life for something—(also: lay down one’s life for something) allow oneself to die for a good cause, etc.:
- This monument is to honor soldiers who gave their life for the cause of liberty.
give one’s life to something—dedicate one’s whole life to smth.:
- Socrates gave his life to the study of questions that have seized the minds of thinking people down the ages.
Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase give life to something—impart interest, energ y, or enthusiasm to smth.:
- Experienced actors could be contracted to give life to the play so that the work stands the best chance of attracting an audience.