ADJ
basic, broad, central, fundamental, general
The fundamental principles of good health include regular exercise and balanced nutrition.
cardinal, essential, key | universal | democratic, legal, market, political, scientific, theoretical
VERB + PRINCIPLE
establish, formulate, lay down | apply | explain
PRINCIPLE + VERB
apply
The same safety principle applies in both factories and construction sites.
underlie sth, underpin sth
The basic principles that underpin our education system have not changed for decades.
PREP
in ~
The school supports the idea in principle, though funding remains uncertain.
~ behind
The scientist described the basic principles behind how the new vaccine works.
ADJ
high | guiding | Christian
moral
She refused to compromise her moral principles, even though it cost her the job.
VERB + PRINCIPLE
betray, compromise
She felt she had betrayed her principles by accepting the dishonest job offer.
adhere to, stick to
The company adheres to the principle of paying fair wages to all its workers.
PREP
against your ~s
Working on Sundays goes against his principles, so he always takes that day off.
on ~
He refused to eat meat on principle, even though his friends tried to convince him otherwise.
PHRASES
a matter of principle
She refused to eat meat as a matter of principle, even though her friends tried to convince her.
a person of principle