With energy, answer back (3)
I believe the answer is:
ago
'back' is the definition.
('years back' means 'years ago')
I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ago that I've seen before include "Gone, past, since" , "Previously" , "Earlier, gone by" , "Back (in time)" , "Time past" .)