What does the phrasal verb “plow back” mean?

What are the definitions of “plow back”?

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

• 1. Re - invest money you have made into a business.

  We PLOWED BACK all the profits to grow the company.

What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “plow back”?

The most common meaning of the phrasal verb plow back is to reinvest money that has been earned back into a business. This is often done to help the business grow and improve its operations.

What are the different verb forms of “plow back”?

Root Verb	plow back
Third Person Singular Present	plows back
Present Participle	plowing back
Simple Past	plowed back
Past Participle	plowed back

Example

The company decided to plow back its profits into research and development.

Example

She plows back her earnings into her small business.

Example

They are plowing back their profits to expand their product line.

Example

Last year, he plowed back a significant portion of his income into the company.

Example

The profits have been plowed back into the business to fund new projects.

What kind of phrasal verb is “plow back”?

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

What is a transitive and intransitive verb?
- A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.)
- An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)

Transitive verb

“plow back” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.

Example

The company plowed back its profits into research and development.

Example

She plowed her earnings back into her small business.

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb?
- A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle.
- An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.

Inseparable

“plow back” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.

Example

The company plowed back its profits into research and development.

Example

She plowed her earnings back into her small business.

What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “plow back”?

Plow back into

Reinvesting money into a specific area or project within a business.

Example

The restaurant owner decided to plow back into improving the kitchen facilities.

Plow back profits

Reinvesting the profits earned by a business back into the business itself.

Example

The tech startup plowed back profits to hire more developers and expand their team.

Plow back earnings

Reinvesting personal earnings or income back into a business or investment.

Example

She plowed back her earnings into her online store to increase her inventory.

Good things to know

Does “plow back” have an informal or formal tone?

Plow back is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is commonly used in business and financial discussions, making it appropriate for professional settings. However, it can also be used in casual conversations when discussing personal finances or investments.

What are synonyms of antonyms to the phrasal verb “plow back”?

Synonyms

• reinvest
• reallocate
• redirect
• recommit
• reapply
• recontribute
• put back

Antonyms

• withdraw
• divest
• remove
• extract
• disinvest
• take out
• cash out