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back to square one

starting over from the beginning · having to restart after a setback

💡 What's the situation?

Imagine your team has worked tirelessly on a project for months, only for the client to suddenly change their mind about the core concept. 😱 All that effort? Poof! Now you have to go `back to square one` and redesign everything. This expression perfectly captures that 'start-over' feeling after a major setback.

💬 Learn with dialogue!

Hey Mike, how's the new marketing campaign coming along? I thought we were almost ready to launch.

Unfortunately, we hit a major snag. The legal department rejected our main slogan, so it looks like we're back to square one with the messaging.

Oh no, that's rough! So, no launch next week then?

🔥 Today's Mission!

Your team spent weeks developing a new app feature, but user feedback showed it was too complicated, requiring a complete redesign. Which English expression best describes this situation? A. Under the weather B. Back to square one C. Low-hanging fruit

Check Answer 👇

B

#business #project management #setback #restart #idiom

Related Topics

English conversationDaily EnglishOne sentence a dayEnglish expressionSpeak Mangostudy EnglishEnglish learninglearn EnglishBusiness Englishback to square one meaningback to square one definition

📚 How about these expressions?

come to a head

reach a crisis · reach a critical point

What's the situation?

Imagine a project where small issues have been piling up. Suddenly, everything needs immediate attention! 🤯 This expression is perfect for describing when a situation or problem becomes so urgent that it can no longer be ignored and demands a resolution. It's often used when things get serious and you need to act.

that sounds like a plan

That's a good idea · I agree to that · Let's do it

What's the situation?

When someone suggests an idea or a course of action and you think it's brilliant, practical, and totally doable! 🤩 It's a super positive way to say 'I'm on board!' and show you're ready to get things moving. Perfect for team meetings or client discussions!

free up some time

make time available · create availability in one's schedule

What's the situation?

This expression is super useful when you need to find a slot in a busy schedule for a new meeting, project, or task. 🗓️ It's all about clearing your calendar to make space for something important (or just a coffee break!). ☕✨

just spitballing here

simply brainstorming out loud · throwing out undeveloped ideas

What's the situation?

Ever been in a meeting where you wanted to throw out an idea but weren't sure if it was fully formed? 😅 'just spitballing here' is your best friend! It signals that you're sharing an idea that's still raw, open for discussion, and not set in stone. It's great for fostering creativity and showing you're open to feedback!

to foster collaboration

to encourage teamwork · to promote working together

What's the situation?

This expression is super useful in the business world when you want to emphasize the importance of working together! 🤝 It's about creating an environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing ideas and supporting each other to achieve common goals. Think of it as planting seeds for awesome teamwork! 🌱

Take it away!

Start your presentation/task now · It's your turn to proceed

What's the situation?

Imagine you're in a meeting, and you've just introduced your colleague, Mike, who's about to present. You want to smoothly hand over the floor to him! 🚀 Or, a manager has explained a task and wants you to kick it off. It's the perfect, energetic way to say, 'Your stage now!'

📚 How about these expressions?

come to a head

reach a crisis · reach a critical point

What's the situation?

Imagine a project where small issues have been piling up. Suddenly, everything needs immediate attention! 🤯 This expression is perfect for describing when a situation or problem becomes so urgent that it can no longer be ignored and demands a resolution. It's often used when things get serious and you need to act.

that sounds like a plan

That's a good idea · I agree to that · Let's do it

What's the situation?

When someone suggests an idea or a course of action and you think it's brilliant, practical, and totally doable! 🤩 It's a super positive way to say 'I'm on board!' and show you're ready to get things moving. Perfect for team meetings or client discussions!

free up some time

make time available · create availability in one's schedule

What's the situation?

This expression is super useful when you need to find a slot in a busy schedule for a new meeting, project, or task. 🗓️ It's all about clearing your calendar to make space for something important (or just a coffee break!). ☕✨

just spitballing here

simply brainstorming out loud · throwing out undeveloped ideas

What's the situation?

Ever been in a meeting where you wanted to throw out an idea but weren't sure if it was fully formed? 😅 'just spitballing here' is your best friend! It signals that you're sharing an idea that's still raw, open for discussion, and not set in stone. It's great for fostering creativity and showing you're open to feedback!

to foster collaboration

to encourage teamwork · to promote working together

What's the situation?

This expression is super useful in the business world when you want to emphasize the importance of working together! 🤝 It's about creating an environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing ideas and supporting each other to achieve common goals. Think of it as planting seeds for awesome teamwork! 🌱

Take it away!

Start your presentation/task now · It's your turn to proceed

What's the situation?

Imagine you're in a meeting, and you've just introduced your colleague, Mike, who's about to present. You want to smoothly hand over the floor to him! 🚀 Or, a manager has explained a task and wants you to kick it off. It's the perfect, energetic way to say, 'Your stage now!'

come to a head

reach a crisis · reach a critical point

What's the situation?

Imagine a project where small issues have been piling up. Suddenly, everything needs immediate attention! 🤯 This expression is perfect for describing when a situation or problem becomes so urgent that it can no longer be ignored and demands a resolution. It's often used when things get serious and you need to act.

that sounds like a plan

That's a good idea · I agree to that · Let's do it

What's the situation?

When someone suggests an idea or a course of action and you think it's brilliant, practical, and totally doable! 🤩 It's a super positive way to say 'I'm on board!' and show you're ready to get things moving. Perfect for team meetings or client discussions!

free up some time

make time available · create availability in one's schedule

What's the situation?

This expression is super useful when you need to find a slot in a busy schedule for a new meeting, project, or task. 🗓️ It's all about clearing your calendar to make space for something important (or just a coffee break!). ☕✨

just spitballing here

simply brainstorming out loud · throwing out undeveloped ideas

What's the situation?

Ever been in a meeting where you wanted to throw out an idea but weren't sure if it was fully formed? 😅 'just spitballing here' is your best friend! It signals that you're sharing an idea that's still raw, open for discussion, and not set in stone. It's great for fostering creativity and showing you're open to feedback!

to foster collaboration

to encourage teamwork · to promote working together

What's the situation?

This expression is super useful in the business world when you want to emphasize the importance of working together! 🤝 It's about creating an environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing ideas and supporting each other to achieve common goals. Think of it as planting seeds for awesome teamwork! 🌱

Take it away!

Start your presentation/task now · It's your turn to proceed

What's the situation?

Imagine you're in a meeting, and you've just introduced your colleague, Mike, who's about to present. You want to smoothly hand over the floor to him! 🚀 Or, a manager has explained a task and wants you to kick it off. It's the perfect, energetic way to say, 'Your stage now!'

🍯 Teacher's Tip!

💡 **Fun Fact!** This idiom originates from old radio football (soccer) commentary! When a play restarted due to a foul or going out of bounds, commentators would often say 'back to square one' referring to a diagram of the field divided into numbered squares used to explain plays. ⚽️🥅 Remember, it's often used when an effort has failed or been rejected, forcing a complete restart.

back to square one example

starting over from the beginning synonym

another way to say starting over from the beginning

alternatives to starting over from the beginning

having to restart after a setback synonym

another way to say having to restart after a setback

alternatives to having to restart after a setback