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Glite Dictionary
to drive back

to drive back

19 4.1
Force someone or something to move away from danger
  • phrasal verb
  • /draɪv bæk/
translation icon : hacer retroceder (a)
  • The alarm was sounded, and the soldiers were driven back to camp.

That higher temperature will so that that will will make up a difference in temperature that will drive an energy exchange back to the reservoir.

Examples

  • And for the third time, they succeeded in driving the Americans back.

    Academic text (2014)

  • Under this onslaught, the lead Austrian troops are driven back into the gorge.

  • A dozen of us were driven back in the battle.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • But the natural advantage of the terrain allows them to stand their ground and eventually drive the federals back.

    Academic text (2004)

  • The army was able to drive back the insurgents who threatened the city.

  • After several hours of fighting, the defenders managed to drive back the enemy forces.

  • Quick action by the police helped drive back the protesters from the street.

Synonyms

to push back
vsto drive back
97 3.9

Force a person or thing to move backward in body and feeling

is more specific to repelling attacks or immediate threats
to drive off
vsto drive back
87 4.0

Force someone or something to leave using threats

emphasizes retreat from attack or threat rather than simple leaving
to drive away
vsto drive back
71 3.4

To force a person, animal, or feeling to go away

focuses on forcing retreat from attack or threat rather than discomfort
to drive out
vsto drive back
70 3.8

Force someone or something to leave a place

centres on making attackers or threats retreat rather than eviction alone
to fight off
vsto drive back
51 3.7

To keep away an attack, illness, or strong unwanted feeling

is about forcing retreat generally, not only successful resistance
to scare away
vsto drive back
47 2.5

Make a person or animal go away because they are afraid

is grounded in forcing retreat from threats rather than causing fear alone
to chase away
vsto drive back
26 2.6

To make people or things leave by scaring them

is about making attackers retreat, not only sudden departure
to repel
vsto drive back
21 4.2

Make someone or something move back and stay away, often by using force

focuses specifically on forcing retreat from attacks or threats
to beat back
vsto drive back
14 6.0

To force someone or something to move away

is broader, not limited to personal forceful effort
to force back
vsto drive back
10 4.9

Make people or things move backward by using strength and stop feelings by holding them back

is about forcing retreat especially in attack or threat situations
to repulse
vsto drive back
7 7.0

To make someone or something go away

is the wider concept of making threats or attacks retreat
to chase off
vsto drive back
6 3.3

Make someone or something leave a place by running after and frightening them

is focused on repelling attacks or threats rather than mere removal
to rebuff
vsto drive back
3 7.9

To drive back an attack or enemy force

is the general act of forcing retreat from threats or attacks

Antonyms

to invite
93 4.4

To make someone want to come closer or start a conversation

How Strong

to rout
15 7.4
to repel
21 4.2
to drive back
19 4.1
to push back
97 3.9
to hold off
55 4.0

Surface Forms

drive back infinitive
driving back present participle
drives back third person singular
drove back past
driven back past participle

Morphology

drive + back

The meaning 'to force someone or something to move away or retreat' is directly and predictably composed from 'drive' (to force movement) plus 'back' (toward the rear/away), so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer the sense. This verb + directional particle pattern is common across languages and follows standard English compositional rules, making the expression transparent rather than idiomatic.

Etymology

The phrasal verb drive back comes from the image of using a vehicle, a dog or soldiers to push a group away. The word drive means to push or force and back shows the direction away from you, so it now means 'force someone to move away'.