the drawing board

the drawing board

The initial process of planning or composing something. An actual drawing board is a large board on which one can spread paper and draw. We need to go back to the drawing board on this project. I think it had some fundamental flaws from the start.
See also: board, drawing
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • board with
  • board with (someone)
  • off board
  • big board
  • flat as a board
  • (as) flat as a board
  • boogie-board
  • draft board
  • flame war
  • back to the drawing board
References in periodicals archive
The Back to the Drawing Board family trail runs every day.
Seatbelts on and hold tight... for a day out at British Motor Museum
The PTI government needs to return to the drawing board and come up with a plan that is fair and equitable, and applies across the board to all citizens.
Squeezing the squeezed
'We'll go back to the drawing board, train harder, we'll go back to our room and try to see what's lacking and we'll be back stronger and better.'
Coach Mark Sangiao vows Team Lakay will be back 'stronger, better' after rough start in 2019
At The Drawing Board (tdbpetaluma.com), a wholesome brunch might involve a bowl of sauteed Swiss chard with sweet-potato noodles or sourdough pancakes made using starter that's been in the owner's family for 1 00 years.
An agricultural town makes its claim as the new farm-to-fork capital of Sonoma County
MARIA Sharapova admits it is "back to the drawing board" after she lost to Serena Williams for the 18th time in a row at the Australian Open.
Sharapova beaten again as Serena makes it 18 in row
It's back to the drawing board for Galway while Tipp will be delighted with their victory, but it came with warning signs.
Tribe lost their way
"But as I said, we are going to go back to the drawing board now because there has been a lot of work on Charlie and I think he would have been great for us, but unfortunately, it doesn't look as if it's going to be."
Hull to begin fresh striker search after Austin setback; PREMIER LEAGUE IN BRIEF
DAVID Price will go back to the drawing board with his mentor Lennox Lewis after suffering another devastating stoppage defeat to Tony Thompson.
Beaten Price going back to the basics
IT IS back to the drawing board for connections of Ektihaam after he was well-beaten under champion jockey Paul Hanagan after being badly hampered in a rough race in the the Prix du Jockey Club.
Back to drawing board with Ektihaam; RACING
"It's back to the drawing board but I think the more time we spend together, the more tough times we go through together as a team, the more we will grow."
Kangaroos reign in the rain; RUGBY LEAGUE
This will enable viewers to see the quality preparation that takes place from inception of the project on the drawing board to the final look.
Trans Energy Systems New-Look Website
Promoter Frank Warren will go "back to the drawing board" to plan Amir Khan's route to a world title.
Warren wants title shot for Khan
Seymour will help the winner(s) take their concept from the drawing board to NSPME's Web site.
Got electoral game?
DEFENDER Steven Taylor admitted Newcastle need to "get back to the drawing board" after another collapse against Aston Villa.
Villa Euro bid halts Toon; PREMIER LEAGUE
Work, which has been on the drawing board for more than a year, could get under way as early as next year.
Big plans for town centre