Back to the drawing board

Meaning

Return to planning stage after a failure.

Usage

Used in engineering, design, or any project after setbacks.

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.

Popularized by cartoons depicting engineers restarting their plans.

Attributed to illustrator Peter Arno in the 1940s for a cartoon of failed aircraft.