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Square one
01
the point or situation from which one starts to do something
What is the origin of the idiom "square one" and when to use it?
The idiom "square one" is believed to have originated in the game of Snakes and Ladders, where players who land on a snake's head are sent back to the beginning of the game. In modern usage, it can refer to any situation where a person or group has to start over from the beginning. It can apply to personal or professional contexts, and can refer to both minor and major setbacks.
Example
The athlete suffered a serious injury during training, and had to return to square one in terms of building up their strength and conditioning.
The company's attempt to enter a new market failed, and they had to start from square one to develop a new strategy.
After working on the project for a month, our team realized that our approach was flawed and we had to go back to square one.
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