drawing board
Americannoun
idioms
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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.
-
on the drawing board, in the planning or design stage.
The shopping center is still on the drawing board.
noun
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a smooth flat rectangular board on which paper, canvas, etc, is placed for making drawings
-
return to an earlier stage in an enterprise because a planned undertaking has failed
Etymology
Origin of drawing board
First recorded in 1715–25
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The implication of the research is this: If you’re planning to retire at 65 or 67, it may be time to go back to the drawing board and stress test your plan.
From MarketWatch • May 14, 2026
Facing new rules governing both the cars’ power units and their aerodynamics, teams had effectively been sent back to the drawing board.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026
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
He pushed his chair back from the drawing board.
From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
