square one
Americannoun
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In a sense, it feels like back to square one for Carrick with the young midfielder.
From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2026
That leaves investors back to square one, in some respects, in terms of assessing the market’s path into the second half of the year.
From Barron's ● Jun. 23, 2026
If not, we are back to square one.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 9, 2026
Explain your current level of tech knowledge: If you’ve never touched code or a script before, tell the AI you’re starting from square one and it should explain every single step you need to take.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 16, 2026
Agreed, Mom, which puts me back at square one.
From "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson
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.
