Phrasal verb
die back
Definition
phrasal verb. when the top parts of a plant, like the leaves and stems, dry up and disappear while the roots stay alive.
phrasal verb. to undergo a seasonal decline in which the aerial parts of a plant wither or perish while the subterranean structures remain viable for future growth.
Examples
“The lilies die back every winter and return in the spring.”
“After the first frost, the perennials in the garden will die back to the ground.”
“Ecologists observed that the native grasses die back during the peak of the drought to conserve energy within their root systems.”
Examples
simple
“The lilies die back every winter and return in the spring.”
contextual
“After the first frost, the perennials in the garden will die back to the ground.”
complex
“Ecologists observed that the native grasses die back during the peak of the drought to conserve energy within their root systems.”
Usage
intransitive; usually refers to plants, gardens, or specific vegetation.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'die off' (which implies the whole population or plant is dying permanently) to help students understand the cyclical nature of 'die back'.
Pitfall
The roses were died back by the cold.
The roses died back in the cold.
this is an intransitive verb and cannot be used in the passive voice.
Phrasal verb
Particles
back
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
die + back
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/die-back