back to square one

USAGE SUMMARY

"back to square one" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that you have to start from the beginning again after having made some progress. For example: "We got halfway through the project, but then we had to go back to square one because we came to the wrong conclusion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"It's back to square one.

The Guardian

Everybody's back to square one.

The New York Times - Sports

So back to square one.

The Guardian

"I am back to square one.

The Guardian

I was almost back to square one.

The Guardian

They were back to square one.

The Guardian

So was it back to square one?

The Guardian

It was back to square one.

The New York Times - Sports

"We are now back to square one.

The Guardian

Not wholly back to square one.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Back to square one--learn the rules.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "back to square one" to emphasize a complete restart, especially after significant effort has been expended.

Common error

Avoid using "back to square one" when only minor adjustments are needed; reserve it for situations requiring a total reset.

Linguistic Context

The idiomatic phrase "back to square one" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate a return to the initial stage of a process or situation. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "back to square one" is a common idiom used to describe returning to the beginning of a process after experiencing a setback. According to Ludwig, its usage is grammatically correct and frequent across diverse contexts, particularly in news, sports, and general conversation. While versatile, more formal situations may warrant alternatives such as "revert to the initial stage" for precision. Understanding the nuances of "back to square one" ensures effective communication, while recognizing its informal nature allows for appropriate adaptation across various settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

start from scratch

This alternative emphasizes beginning completely anew, often after failure or discarding previous work.

revert to the beginning

Highlights a return to the initial state or condition, suggesting previous efforts were unfruitful.

go back to the drawing board

Implies a need to rethink and redesign a plan or project from its initial stages.

begin again

A simpler expression indicating a fresh start, often after overcoming obstacles.

return to the starting point

Directly indicates a physical or metaphorical return to the place where something began.

reset to zero

Focuses on resetting progress, often used in technical or quantifiable contexts.

start over

A common and versatile phrase for initiating a new attempt after a setback.

wipe the slate clean

Suggests erasing past mistakes or failures to make way for a fresh start.

turn back the clock

This alternative suggests returning to a previous time or state, implying a reversal of events.

go back to the basics

Suggests focusing on fundamental principles or elements after becoming lost in complexity.

FAQs

How can I use "back to square one" in a sentence?

You can use "back to square one" to describe a situation where progress has been lost and a fresh start is needed. For instance, "After the deal fell through, we were "back to square one" in our negotiations".

What does "back to square one" mean?

"Back to square one" means returning to the beginning of a process or situation, often after encountering setbacks or failures. It implies that previous efforts did not lead to the desired outcome.

Are there alternative ways to say "back to square one"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "start from scratch", "begin again", or "return to the starting point". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "back to square one" in formal writing?

While "back to square one" is widely understood, it might be more suitable for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider using more precise alternatives like "revert to the initial stage" or "restart the process from the beginning" for greater clarity and professionalism.