back to square one4 ^. Z0 m' o. c3 A" E
An expression used to mean that it is necessary to stop whatever one has done on a new project and to start again completely. 5 }: }# g8 B: @/ ? EXAMPLE: . ~$ C2 v3 L% h; c& T! U3 y When our experimental design for a new solar automobile failed totally on the first day of testing, our engineering department knew it was back to square one.