What Does "Back to Square One" Mean?
"Back to square one" is an English idiom. It means "starting over again because of a failure or setback."Examples in Sentences
Here are three examples of the idiom "back to square one" used in a sentence:- The experiment didn't work, so it's back to square one.
- After the disagreement, the negotiations went back to square one.
- Losing that contract means we're back to square one with our sales strategy.
What Is an Idiom?
An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Back to Square One" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.
A Quick Test
You now know what "back to square one" means, but are you good at English idioms? Let's see!
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