square one

noun

1. a starting point; initial stage or step:

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of square one¹

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

But when Figueroa received a promotion that moved her to Los Angeles, she was back at square one making new mates, so she decided to start her own walking clubs.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s like we are back to square one.”

From Los Angeles Times

After a year planning the trip, Mr Oualy is back to square one - and has now returned to his family and is saving enough money for another passage.

From BBC

Then they have to start from square one again.

From Salon

So we already had a relationship and a rapport established, which benefited this project so much because we weren't starting from square one.

From Salon