1 C1 idiomatic formal
to force something back or stop its advance
"Fire crews worked to break back the flames before nightfall."
separable
break back
C1 formal separable transitive
to force back, check, or reduce something, especially growth or movement
In plain English
to push something back or stop it growing
What does "break back" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 formal
to cut or reduce growth by forcing it backward or down
"They broke back the hedge to clear the old path."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
Literally, it suggests breaking something so it goes back or is forced back.
Actually means
to push something back or stop it growing
Usage tip
Very rare and not a common modern phrasal verb. It may appear in technical, historical, or dialectal writing.
Words that pair with "break back"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
growth hedges the attack flames enemy advance
How to conjugate "break back"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
break back
I/you/we/they
3rd person
breaks back
he/she/it
Past simple
broke back
yesterday
Past participle
broken back
have + pp
-ing form
breaking back
continuous
Hear "break back" in the wild
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Other ways to say "break back"
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