still at square one

USAGE SUMMARY

"still at square one" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiom that means "back at the beginning" or "stuck without progress." It can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Example sentence: After five months of searching, I'm still at square one in trying to find a new job.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

So we're still at square one in the search to find an effective treatment.

Huffington Post

For many campuses, she said, "I think we're still at square one".

Huffington Post

"We are still at square one" said Rodrigues "the lions are becoming endangered and they will become extinct if they don't put a stop to it".

Vice

After weeks of futile political games from Republicans, we are still at square one: Republicans must decide whether to pass the Senate's clean CR, or force a Republican government shutdown.

Huffington Post

"After weeks of futile political games from Republicans, we are still at square one: Republicans must decide whether to pass the Senate's clean [bill], or force a Republican government shutdown," Reid said.

Huffington Post

But in others, we're still at square one.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Even if John Boehner did have a magic wand to get House bills through the Senate, they would still not become law and we'd all be back at square one.

Huffington Post

"During the night Katrina woke up coughing terribly and was still struggling with her breathing, so I ended up back at my GP and at square one".

The Guardian

"I was right back at square one.

The New York Times

I wasn't at square one, I was in arrears!

The New Yorker

So at the end of eight years we are back at square one.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "still at square one" to emphasize a lack of progress despite previous efforts or time spent. It's effective when highlighting frustration or disappointment.

Common error

Avoid using "still at square one" when merely starting a new project. The idiom implies prior attempts or expectations that have not yielded results, resulting in the need to begin again.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "still at square one" functions as an idiomatic expression used to describe a situation where progress has not been made, and one is back to the starting point. Ludwig provides examples where this phrase is used in various contexts to convey a sense of frustration or lack of advancement.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiom "still at square one" effectively conveys a sense of being back at the beginning, with no progress made despite previous efforts. Ludwig AI confirms that this expression is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in various contexts. While its frequency is relatively rare, its impact is significant in expressing frustration or disappointment. As seen in Ludwig's examples, the idiom often appears in news articles, highlighting situations where progress has stalled. When writing, consider the context to ensure the idiom's implication of prior unsuccessful attempts is accurate. Alternatives such as "back to square one" or "starting from scratch" can be used interchangeably.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

back to square one

Indicates a return to the initial stage after a setback.

starting from scratch

Implies beginning again without any prior work or advantage.

drawing a blank

Suggests a complete lack of ideas or progress.

making no headway

Highlights the absence of forward movement or advancement.

getting nowhere

Emphasizes the lack of progress despite effort.

back to the drawing board

Indicates a need to redesign or rethink a plan due to failure.

in the same boat

Highlights a shared predicament of being at the starting point.

no closer to a solution

Emphasizes the lack of progress towards resolving a problem.

stuck in a rut

Suggests being trapped in a repetitive and unproductive situation.

treading water

Implies making minimal progress while exerting effort to stay afloat.

FAQs

What does it mean to be "still at square one"?

Being "still at square one" means you are back to the beginning, with no progress made despite prior effort. It implies a disappointing lack of advancement.

How can I use "still at square one" in a sentence?

You can use "still at square one" to express frustration or disappointment when previous efforts have not yielded any positive results. For example, "After months of searching, we are "back to square one" with our fundraising efforts."

What are some alternatives to saying "still at square one"?

Alternatives to "still at square one" include "back to square one", "starting from scratch", or "making no headway".

Is it grammatically correct to say "still at square one"?

Yes, "still at square one" is a grammatically correct and commonly used idiomatic expression in English.