Definition

Noun: - The initial starting point or situation: "square one" refers to the very beginning of a process or endeavor. It is the point from which one starts and, significantly, the point to which one returns if their efforts are unsuccessful, implying a loss of progress and a need to start over completely.

Usage

The term "square one" is almost exclusively used in the idiom "back to square one" or "at square one". It describes a state of having to restart a process from the beginning because previous attempts have failed or been negated. - After the experiment failed, the researchers were back to square one. - The negotiations collapsed, so we're at square one again.

Advanced Usage

• "go back to square one": To be forced to restart a process from the very beginning.
  • If the client rejects this proposal, we'll have to go back to square one.

Variants and Related Words

• Starting point (n): A place or time from which something begins.
• Ground zero (n): The very beginning or the site of a new start (often used for projects or after a disaster).
• Drawing board (n): Used in the idiom "back to the drawing board," which is a close synonym meaning to start planning something again from the beginning.

Synonyms

• The beginning
• The start
• Day one

Related Idioms

• Back to the drawing board: Having to start a plan or project over from the beginning because the previous one failed.
  • The prototype didn't work, so it's back to the drawing board for the design team.
• From scratch: Starting from the very beginning with no prior work or advantage.
  • We lost all the data and had to rebuild the report from scratch.

Noun

1. the situation in which you begin an endeavor and to which you return if your efforts fail
   • the police are now back at square one after having arrested and released 27 men
   • she has tried to diet but always ends up back at square one