Die back
verb
When a plant dies back, its leaves and stems start to dry and fall off, usually in the winter or because of a disease.
The rose bush will die back in the winter, but it will start to grow again in the spring.
Often appears as...
- plants die back
- trees die back
verb
In medicine, 'die back' refers to the process where tissue or a part of the body starts to decay or stop functioning.
The doctor warned if the wound wasn't properly treated, the tissue may die back.
Often appears as...
- tissue dies back
- cells die back
Usage tips
Formal
Technical
verb
When a plant dies back, its leaves and stems start to dry and fall off, usually in the winter or because of a disease.
The rose bush will die back in the winter, but it will start to grow again in the spring.
Often appears as...
- plants die back
- trees die back
verb
In medicine, 'die back' refers to the process where tissue or a part of the body starts to decay or stop functioning.
The doctor warned if the wound wasn't properly treated, the tissue may die back.
Often appears as...
- tissue dies back
- cells die back
Usage tips
Formal
Technical
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Seasonal Cycle
The phrase is often related to natural seasonal patterns in plants.
Expect the perennial herbs to die back in autumn.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Permanent
In gardening, 'die back' doesn't always mean the plant is dead; it may regrow.
Although the bushes die back, they will return each spring.
Pro Tip 3/3Observational Cues
Look for visual cues like browning leaves when plants die back.
The hydrangea starts to die back when its leaves turn brown.
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