●be/go back to square ˈone ( start again from square ˈone) (informal) start sth again from the beginning because your first idea, plan, action, etc. has failed or has been stopped（因最初的主意、计划、行动等失败而）回到起点，从头再来◆The experiment didn’t work, so it’s back to square one, I’m afraid. 实验失败了，所以恐怕得从头再来。ORIGINThis may refer to going back to the beginning or first square of a board game such as ‘snakes and ladders’.这个习语可能指回到“蛇梯棋”等棋类游戏中的第一方格。