square one

American  

noun

1. a starting point; initial stage or step.

   If this plan fails, we'll have to go back to square one.

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Etymology

Origin of square one

First recorded in 1955–60; alluding to board games in which a player is penalized by being forced to return to the starting point

Example Sentences

Mr Sullivan said he feels "really sorry" for the family of Miss Sindall, who he said are "back at square one" in their fight for justice.

From BBC

The therapist doesn’t work out, and it’s back to square one — another task moved back to the top of the pile.

From Salon

"It takes time to then get players out, get players in and then before you know it, that manager doesn't get the results and then they're gone and you're back to square one," said Rooney.

From BBC

If we change the manager then we are just back to square one again.

From BBC

Though he’s dubbed his latest trek across the country the Bean Without a Cause Tour, he’s also back to square one — a comic without new material, or at least not much of it.

From Los Angeles Times