# die back

CEFR C1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/die-back
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

when the top parts of a plant, like the leaves and stems, dry up and disappear while the roots stay alive.

For teachers: 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.

## Pitfalls

- Not "The roses were died back by the cold." but "The roses died back in the cold." — this is an intransitive verb and cannot be used in the passive voice.

## Usage notes

- 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'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.