Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

back to square one

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.80 in modern English

Syllables
back- -to square one
IPA
32
Scrabble Score
15
Letters
3
Syllables
12
Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

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

adv

Back to the start, as after a dead end or failure.

Example Sentences

Etymology

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

Phrases

back to the drawing board

Frequently Paired Words

back to the drawing board

Questions

What does back to square one mean?
Located back at the start, as after a dead end or failure.
Where does back to square one come from?
Probably from a metaphorical use of the children’s games snakes and ladders.

How to pronounce back to square one

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “back to square one”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “back to square one”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “back to square one” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.