Back to square one
/bæk tuː skwɛər wʌn/informal, neutralUK · US · AU · IE · CA
What does “Back to square one” mean?
Back to square one means returning to the very beginning of a process because an earlier attempt failed.
This idiom means you must start a project or task again from the beginning. It usually happens when a mistake ruins your progress or a plan does not work.
People usually say this with a feeling of frustration or tiredness. It shows that time and effort were lost, but you have to try again anyway.
When do people say it?
People say this when a plan fails completely and they must start over from the very beginning.
“The computer crashed before I saved my essay, so now I am back to square one.”
Is it formal or informal?
Register: informal, neutral. It is most at home in both everyday conversation and professional writing. Most common in UK and US and AU and IE and CA.
Where does it come from?
The exact origin is disputed, but it may come from board games where a bad move sends a player to the first square. Another popular theory points to early radio sports broadcasts in the UK, where commentators divided the field into numbered squares.
Origin confidence: Disputed; treat with caution
How do you say “Back to square one” in other languages?
Last reviewed 2026-09-11