back to square one

idiom

The phrase "back to square one" likely originates from board games or early radio sports commentaries, implying a return to the beginning after a failed attempt.

🇺🇸 US Voice:

🇬🇧 UK Voice:

Definition

B2General

(informal, idiomatic)Returning to the starting point after a failed attempt or setback.

Example

After the project failed, we had to go back to square one and rethink our strategy.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "back to square one":

back to basics come full circle go back to full circle go back on square one's shoulders retrace one's steps turn again turn back circle back on the square return to form