# back to square one

> English word · Adjective

## Definitions
1. Located back at the start, as after a dead end or failure.

## Etymology
Probably from a metaphorical use of the children’s games snakes and ladders.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/back-to-square-one