Back to square one

Meaning

Return to the beginning after a failed effort.

Usage

Used when plans must be restarted because progress was lost.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Believed to come from board games or early radio commentary marking square one.

Popularized by 20th-century broadcasters describing repeated failures.