square_one (HyperDic hyper-dictionary)

English > 1 sense of the expression *square one*:
NOUN	state	square one	the situation in which you begin an endeavor / endeavor and to which you return if your efforts fail

English > *square one*: 1 sense > noun 1, state
Meaning	The situation in which you begin an endeavor / endeavor and to which you return if your efforts fail.
Examples	"the police are now back at square one after having arrested and released 27 men" "she has tried to diet but always ends up back at square one"
Broader	situation, state of affairs	The general state of things

HyperDic: square_one