square one

noun

: the initial stage or starting point
the failure set us back to square one

Examples of square one in a Sentence

They lost everything and found themselves back at square one.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That put the hunt for the source back to square one. Jackie Delamatre, Curbed, 30 Dec. 2024 The pair started from square one for this new US iteration several years ago. Andrew Watman, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024 Mars retrograde is sending you back to square one on home and family-related matters. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024 County voters will also decide on a ballot measure that could add four more supervisors to the board, threatening to upset the consensus on the issue and return jail closure to square one again. Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for square one 

Word History

Etymology

from the use of numbered squares in some board games

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of square one was in 1960

Dictionary Entries Near square one

Cite this Entry

“Square one.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/square%20one. Accessed 15 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

square one

noun
: the first stage or starting point
back to square one

More from Merriam-Webster on square one

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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