Meanings
Probably from a metaphorical use of the children’s games snakes and ladders.[1][2]
How to pronounce "back to square one":
AU
Located back at the start, as after a dead end or failure.
Back to the start, as after a dead end or failure.
Example Sentences
1
After spending hours trying to fix my computer, I realized I had to start back to square one and restart it.
2
I thought I had made progress with the puzzle, but when a piece was missing, I had to go back to square one.
3
We thought we were close to finding a solution, but the new data made us go back to square one.
4
The construction project hit some unexpected obstacles, forcing the team to go back to square one.
5
I failed the driving test, so now I have to go back to square one and take lessons all over again.