Etymology Journal · G
Go back to square one
Meaning
- This means you have to start a project or process from the very beginning because your previous attempts failed. It is a polite way of admitting that everything you just did was a total waste of time. It usually comes with a heavy sigh.
Resigned, practical
Used in a sentence
- The software crashed before the save, so I guess I have to go back to square one.
- Mom said if the cake doesn't rise, we have to go back to square one and re-read the recipe.
- Our marketing plan flopped, so it is time to go back to square one.
The backstory
Most linguistic experts link this to the early days of radio broadcasts of soccer games. Commentators used grid maps to describe the field, so returning to square one meant the ball had been moved back to the starting position.
Heard in
Nationwide
Vibe check