from scratch

Idioms  

1. From the very beginning, from the outset; from nothing. For example, I knew we'd have a problem from scratch. Similarly, to start from scratch means “to start from the very beginning,” as in After the business failed, they decided to reorganize and start from scratch. This term comes from racing, where a competitor starts from the line scratched into the ground (whereas others may start ahead with a handicap). [Mid-1800s] Also see from the ground up; from the word go.

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Example Sentences

Unlike ChatGPT or other chatbots that simply answer questions, claws act independently and around the clock and can even be asked to create apps or programs from scratch.

From Barron's

It saved money while expanding by not having to build out spaces from scratch, said Williams, giving the example in Dallas where it took over a former Arby’s.

From Los Angeles Times

After all, orchestrating pre-arranged scores is far easier than composing original music from scratch.

From Los Angeles Times

Instead, the proposal awarded all the locations to a provider starting from scratch.

From The Wall Street Journal

This, it turns out, is how you construct an F1 team from scratch.

From The Wall Street Journal