sell one's life dearly

To do great injury to the enemy before being killed by them.

Japanese Meaning

死ぬ前に、敵に大きな打撃を与える行為 / 自らの命を犠牲にして、敵に甚大な被害を与えること / 殺される直前に敵に大損害を与える戦い方

To defend the castle, one must be ready to sell one's life dearly.

城を守るためには、命を賭して敵に大打撃を与える覚悟が必要だ。

Sense（1）

To do great injury to the enemy before being killed by them.

sells one's life dearly

（ present singular third-person ）

selling one's life dearly

（ participle present ）

sold one's life dearly

（ participle past ）

sold one's life dearly

（ past ）