To go back to the drawing board

Definitions

• start over
  To restart a project or plan from the beginning, often due to previous attempts or ideas not being successful or satisfactory

• reassess
  To reevaluate or reconsider a strategy or approach, often after encountering obstacles or challenges that require a different approach

• revise
  To make changes or improvements to a plan or idea, usually after recognizing flaws or areas that need improvement

Examples of To go back to the drawing board

• The marketing campaign we launched last month didn't yield the desired results, so we're going to have to go back to the drawing board and come up with a new strategy.

  This idiom means to return to the initial stage of planning or brainstorming in order to rethink and revise a project or idea that has not been successful. It is often used in professional contexts, particularly in business and marketing.

• After the disastrous performance at the concert, the band decided to go back to the drawing board and work on their stage presence.

  This example shows how the idiom can be used in a creative context, such as in the arts, to refer to the process of refining and improving a particular skill or aspect of a performance.

• The architect presented his initial design for the building, but the client wasn't satisfied with it. The architect had to go back to the drawing board and make some major revisions.

  This example demonstrates how the idiom can be used in a specific field, such as architecture, to describe the process of revising and refining a design based on feedback from the client or other stakeholders.

• The writer spent months working on her novel, but when she received feedback from her editor, she realized she had to go back to the drawing board and make some major revisions.

  This example shows how the idiom can be used in a creative context, such as in writing, to describe the process of revising and refining a draft based on feedback from an editor or other reviewer.

• The software developer encountered a major bug in the program, so she had to go back to the drawing board and figure out a new solution.

  This example demonstrates how the idiom can be used in a technical context, such as in software development, to describe the process of troubleshooting and finding a new solution to a problem that has arisen during the development process.

Conclusion

The idiom "to go back to the drawing board" is commonly used to express the idea of starting over, reassessing, or revising a plan or project. It often implies that previous attempts or ideas have been unsuccessful and a new approach is needed. It can also suggest a willingness to learn from mistakes and make necessary changes in order to achieve a desired result.

Origin of "To go back to the drawing board"

The origin of this idiom can be traced back to the early 20th century, when architects and engineers would literally go back to the drawing board to make revisions or start a project anew. The phrase gained popularity during World War II when engineers would have to rework plans for military equipment after encountering challenges or failures.

Over time, the idiom has evolved to be used in various contexts beyond just architecture and engineering. It is now commonly used in business, politics, and everyday conversations to convey the idea of reassessment or starting over. The phrase has become a metaphor for taking a step back and making changes in order to achieve success.

Examples of this idiom in use can be found in various forms of media, such as books, movies, and songs. Its widespread use and understanding make it a valuable tool for communication, allowing people to convey the idea of restarting or revising a plan in a concise and relatable way.