chop back

Related to chop back: chop down

chop back

To prune something, such as trees, bushes, or plants. A noun or pronoun can be used between "chop" and "back." I need to chop back this tree because it's so overgrown that I can barely open my car door anymore.
See also: back, chop
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

chop something back

to prune vegetation; to reduce the size of plants by cutting. Why don't you chop those bushes back while you have the shears out? Chop back the bushes, please.
See also: back, chop
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • cut back
  • choke back
  • brush back
  • claw back
  • bring back
  • buck off
  • echo back to
  • be/go back to square one
  • come back and see us
  • back to square one
References in periodicals archive
It can get a bit damaged by frost but don't worry, a good chop back every spring will keep it healthy.
PLANT of the week; IN THE GARDEN; CERATOSTIGMA WILLMOTTIANUM CHINESE PLUMBAGO
TALK OF THE TERRACES John will chop back a tree spoiling his view
We've had a call from the boys in view to warn us .. Cops crack down on locals planning parties; NO TEDDY BEAR PICNIC; EXCLUSIVE
I could hear Elliott Ward in the back of my head saying, 'Just set it,' but I knew I couldn't swing my right foot which is just for standing on, so I had to chop back in on my left again and luckily I knew as soon as I had hit it that it was going in.
Football: Winning goal's the best I've ever hit; Fox tells of delight as Sky Blues continue excellent
The company recently came under fire for proposals to chop back part of its bus service between Conwy and Bangor by more than 50%.
Arriva profits 'obscene', says rail union chief; WALES
The pensioner crashed three metres to the ground as he tried to chop back the hedge in the garden of his house, in Olton Boulevard East, Acocks Green.
Airlift after DIY accident
One striking and unusual feature of this manufacturing recession is that while hard-pressed companies chop back their workforces, nobody seems deterred from borrowing by fear of losing their job.
Lasting housing boom justifies no-change in rates; City View
Warnock almost got the chop back then but a shock 3-1 win over Liverpool earned him a reprieve.
CRYSTAL PAL AXE; Warnock is first Prem boss to go.. Popovic and Pereira are lined upBrutal Parish pulls plug on Warnock
The outcome was this week's decision to chop back the final bonuses so as to lower the value of the policies by 16 per cent.
In some cases watchdogs are best to remain quiet
NEW laws are being lined up to give councils the power to chop back towering conifer hedges.
MPs back call on 'hell' hedges; LEGISLATION WOULD GIVE COUNCILS NEW POWERS
You can chop back for fresh growth but there's no need until they get scrappy- looking.
YOUASK..
Having been on the end of the Barnsley chop back in August, Megson is confident today will be a different story.
Albion determined to hammer home big advantage
BA will also chop back services on less popular routes, concentrating on those more attractive to business customers.
Money; pounds 40m DEAL FOR HOTELS
If you leave it until spring to chop back perennials, you will find all sorts of interest.
WINTER'S BLOOMERS; It's not just holly and mistletoe that provide magic at this time of year - there are flowers, leaves and berries galore
To keep them blooming well, don't just deadhead spent flowers, chop back the flower stalk.
plant of the week NEMESIA
Chop back early-flowering shrubs, such as winter jasmine and forsythia, as soon as blooms die down.
LAWN AND ORDER; Get to work tidying outdoors In the garden with Steve Riches OUR MAN WITH GREEN FINGERS