[Idiom] GO BACK TO SQUARE ONE. - Learn Why Starting Over is Not Always a Setback

Start over again.

The phrase "go back to square one" originates from either children's games, like hopscotch or from radio football commentary where the soccer field was divided into numbered squares for the ease of listeners. To "go back to square one" means to start over again from the beginning, usually after an unsuccessful attempt or when something goes wrong. It suggests returning to the start point to re-think plans or strategies. This idiom is widely applicable in many facets of life, including business strategies, personal projects, and creative endeavors, where initial efforts don't go as planned and a fresh start is required.

Example Sentences

1. After the plan failed, we had to go back to square one.

   Describing the need to start over from the beginning after a failed plan.

2. When the software crashed, it meant going back to square one.

   Explaining that due to a software crash, the work must be started again from the beginning.

3. All our progress was lost when the computer malfunctioned, so now we're going back to square one with the project.

   Stating that all progress on the project was lost due to a computer issue, necessitating a restart from the initial stage.