Definition of "back to square one" in English

Adjective

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

   • After spending six hours on the intake we realized that there was nothing wrong with it, so we are back to square one.

Adverb

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

   • After spending six hours on the intake we realized that there was nothing wrong with it, so we went back to square one.