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Go Back to the Drawing Board

What Does "Go Back to the Drawing Board" Mean?

homeidiomsGo Back to the Drawing Board
"Go back to the drawing board" is an English idiom. It means "to start over or reconsider a plan, idea, or project after it has failed or been unsuccessful."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "go back to the drawing board" used in a sentence:
  • Their initial design for the new product didn't work, so they had to go back to the drawing board.
  • She realized that her strategy needed adjustments, so she decided to go back to the drawing board.
  • They were determined to find a solution and were willing to go back to the drawing board as many times as necessary.
meaning for go back to the drawing board

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 "Go Back to the Drawing Board" 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.

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