drawing board

noun

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

drawing board

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of drawing board¹

First recorded in 1715–25

Idioms and Phrases

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.

see back to the drawing board.