back to the outline

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "back to the outline" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to returning to a previously established structure or plan, often in the context of writing or organizing information. Example: "After discussing the main points, let's go back to the outline to ensure we cover everything."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Back to the outline.

The New York Times

Ditto for the U. Back to the outline.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

All subgroups then reported back to the main group to outline their research questions.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

Remember to go back to the beginning of your outline and evaluate it.

WikiHow

The practical path back to the negotiating table was outlined earlier this year by a commission headed by former Senator George Mitchell.

The New York Times

In the meantime, Mr. Samaras is working to lure investment back to the country, and he outlined a pro-European agenda that he said had already gone a long way toward burnishing Greece's credibility and image.

The New York Times

When you're writing your application, it's worth going back to the job description, which will outline what the recruiter is looking for.

The Guardian

The 1983 Settlement Act, which gave the outlined land back to the tribe, states that the original map must be filed with the secretary of state, and it is not, the lawmakers said in a letter dated Jan . 29to Connecticut's House and Senate.

The New York Times

Think back to the Star technique, which is outlined in this blog about interviews, but which you can also use in job applications.

The Guardian

Harkening back to the "Economic Bill of Rights" outlined by Franklin Roosevelt in a 1944 speech, the Second Bill of Rights calls for a right to full employment, a living wage, participation in the electoral process, the right to organize and collectively bargain, the right to a quality education and the right to decent social services.

Huffington Post

In order to identify the fatty acids that mediated P450 induction, various fatty acids were added back to the fat-deficient diet as outlined in Supplementary Table S1.

Biochemical Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "back to the outline" when you need to re-evaluate or re-establish a clear, pre-existing structure for a project or discussion.

Common error

Avoid treating the "outline" as an unchangeable constraint. Recognize that it's a flexible guide that can be adapted as the project evolves. Revisiting the outline should facilitate improvement, not restrict creative exploration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "back to the outline" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating a return to a foundational plan or structure. The primary grammatical function is adverbial, modifying an implied verb of motion or action. Ludwig confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "back to the outline" is a grammatically sound phrase used to signify a return to a foundational plan or structure. Ludwig's analysis of the examples confirms this. While not overly common, it's employed across various contexts, particularly in project management and writing. When using the phrase, remember that the "outline" should be treated as a flexible guide rather than a rigid constraint. Consider alternatives like "return to the plan" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

return to the plan

This alternative simply replaces "outline" with "plan", maintaining the meaning of going back to a structured guide.

go back to the framework

Using "framework" as a synonym for "outline", this suggests returning to the basic structure.

revisit the original structure

This alternative emphasizes reviewing and reconsidering the initial framework or arrangement.

revert to the initial sketch

This alternative suggests going back to a preliminary drawing or design, similar to an outline.

refer back to the initial draft

This implies consulting a preliminary version or sketch.

go back to the drawing board

This idiom means to start over from the beginning with a new plan or idea.

return to the original concept

This suggests going back to the basic idea or notion.

reconsider the structure

This focuses on rethinking and re-evaluating the established structure.

reexamine the framework

This suggests a careful review of the framework or structure.

consult the schema again

This is suitable when outline is related to schema for organizing data

FAQs

How can I use "back to the outline" in a sentence?

You can use "back to the outline" when you want to return to a previously created plan. For instance: "After getting lost in the details, let's go back to the outline to ensure we're on track."

What's a similar phrase to "back to the outline"?

A similar phrase is "return to the plan", which also suggests revisiting a previously established structure.

When is it appropriate to use "back to the outline"?

It's appropriate when you want to refocus on the main points after exploring related ideas or when you feel the need to ensure the project is aligned with its original goals.

Is "back to the outline" formal or informal?

The phrase "back to the outline" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It's a relatively neutral expression.