back at square one

Variant of square one

square one definition

square one

the point from which someone or something started
usually in the phrase back to (or at) square one back to (or at) square one

Etymology: in allusion to the penalty in certain board games of returning to the first square

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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