Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
be back to square one
idiomatic expression
/biː bæk tə skwɛr wʌn/
Definition
To return to the starting point of a situation, often after a failed attempt or undoing of progress.
Examples
- After the proposal was rejected, we were back to square one on our project.
- He spent weeks working on his plan, only to find he was back to square one when the funding fell through.
Meaning
This phrase signifies that efforts have been wasted, and one must begin again from the original position with no progress made.
Synonyms
- start over
- begin again
- restart
