drive back
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle back
Meanings
Force an attacker to retreat
Why “back”? Back creates distance or reduces progress. The change can affect a place, position, amount, promise, or plan.
“They drove back the invaders.”
“The guards drove back the crowd.”
Don't confuse with
Drive back means force an attacker to retreat. Drive away means leave by car.
Test yourself
“They drove back the invaders.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
drive away
A contrast learners often mix up
Leave by car; Force someone to leave or stay away
cut back
Same back pattern: distance
Reduce sharply, especially expenditure; Reduce the amount of something, especially spending
die back
Same back pattern: distance
(of a plant) lose leaves and branches above ground while the roots survive
draw back
Same back pattern: distance
Move yourself away in hesitation
drop back
Same back pattern: distance
Move to a position further behind
edge back
Same back pattern: distance
Move backward in small cautious steps
fall back
Same back pattern: distance
Move backwards quickly, often in retreat; Use something as a backup when other options fail; Move into a position behind others
go back
Same back pattern: distance
Return to a place; (of a friendship or history) date from a particular time; Withdraw from a promise or agreement
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