drawing board

American  

noun

1. a rectangular board on which paper is placed or mounted for drawing or drafting.

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idioms

1. back to the drawing board, back to the original or an earlier stage of planning or development.

   Our plan didn't work out, so it's back to the drawing board.

2. on the drawing board, in the planning or design stage.

   The shopping center is still on the drawing board.

drawing board British  

noun

1. a smooth flat rectangular board on which paper, canvas, etc, is placed for making drawings

2. return to an earlier stage in an enterprise because a planned undertaking has failed

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drawing board More Idioms  

1. see back to the drawing board.

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Etymology

Origin of drawing board

First recorded in 1715–25

Example Sentences

That version of the film was well underway when the production was forced to go back to the drawing board due to a legal issue.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

The bank was officially launched last year and is now well beyond the drawing board.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

They developed mathematical foundations, reviewed them with Nemenman, tested ideas on computers, and often had to return to the drawing board after pursuing approaches that did not work.

From Science Daily • Mar. 3, 2026

England, for all the improvements they have made, were sent rocketing back to the drawing board.

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2026

The Plumbers went back to the drawing board.

From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin