Phrasal verb
damp off
Definition
phrasal verb. to die or rot because of a fungus, usually when a young plant is growing in soil that is too wet.
phrasal verb. to decay and perish from fungal infection at or below the soil line, typically affecting seedlings in overly moist conditions.
Examples
“The tiny seedlings often damp off if you water them too much.”
“If the greenhouse lacks proper ventilation, your tomato starts might damp off before they can be transplanted.”
“Horticulturalists warn that without sterilized soil, vulnerable seedlings are likely to damp off due to soil-borne pathogens thriving in high humidity.”
Examples
simple
“The tiny seedlings often damp off if you water them too much.”
contextual
“If the greenhouse lacks proper ventilation, your tomato starts might damp off before they can be transplanted.”
complex
“Horticulturalists warn that without sterilized soil, vulnerable seedlings are likely to damp off due to soil-borne pathogens thriving in high humidity.”
Usage
intransitive; used almost exclusively in gardening and botanical contexts regarding seedlings.
Teaching tip
this is a highly technical gardening term; use it to demonstrate how phrasal verbs can serve specific professional or hobbyist niches.
Pitfall
The plants damped off the soil.
The plants damped off.
this phrasal verb is intransitive and does not take a direct object.
Phrasal verb
Particles
off
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
subject + damp + off
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/damp-off