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 Unfortunately, even gal-pal Grace (Ana Gasteyer) drank the Kool-Aid which means Molly and her crew are likely back to square one. Nick Caruso, TVLine, 16 July 2024 Following an impulse to ditch your routine could put you right back at square one! Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 14 July 2024 Any new approach would effectively have to start from square one. Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 2 July 2024 Morrison Cease-fire talks back to square one, Hamas says Hamas said in a statement on Friday that Israel's effective rejection of a cease-fire proposal supported by the Islamist militant group has brought negotiations back to square one. Dan Morrison, USA TODAY, 10 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for square one 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'square one.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 12 Sep. 2024.

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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