B2idiomsuccessIELTS-friendly
back to square one
USUK
back at the start, because an earlier attempt has failed
Usually with 'be', 'go' or 'start again'. Shows disappointment.
In context
The client rejected our design, so we're back to square one.
If the bank refuses the loan, we'll be back to square one.
Common mistake
Incorrect: back to the square one
Correct: back to square one
More idioms about success
- a blessing in disguisesomething that seems bad at first but later brings a good result
- a long shotan attempt or guess that has very little chance of success
- a Pyrrhic victorya win that costs so much that it is hardly worth winning
- against all oddsalthough success seemed very unlikely
- bear fruitto finally produce good results after a lot of effort or time