Meaning: Returning to the starting point with no progress made
Hindi: फिर वहीं से शुरू करना
Synonyms: start over, restart
Antonyms: move forward, progress
Asked in: SSC CPO 2023 T-1 · SSC MTS 2023 · SSC GD 2022 T-1
back to square one in SSC previous-year questions
- SSC CPO 2023 T-1 Idioms & Phrases
Select the most appropriate idiom to fill in the blank.
All my efforts went in vain. The project on which I was working for the last two months has failed and we are ________________________ .Answer & explanation
Answer: D) back to square one
The most appropriate idiom to fill in the blank is back to square one.
The sentence would read: "All my efforts went in vain. The project on which I was working for the last two months has failed, and we are back to square one." This idiom indicates a return to the starting point or a situation of no progress after a setback or failure.
Around the bend: This idiom is used to describe someone who is mentally unstable or crazy. It does not fit the context of the sentence.
On the fly: This expression means doing something quickly or improvising without preparation.
All in the seventh heaven: This phrase means being in a state of great happiness or bliss. - SSC MTS 2023 Idioms & Phrases
Select the most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom in the following sentence.
After having invested so much time and energy into the project, we are now back to square one.Answer & explanation
Answer: A) Having to start all over again
Answer: Option 1 – Having to start all over again
Solution:
The idiom "back to square one" means:
👉 To return to the starting point, especially after a failed attempt or wasted effort.
(फिर से शुरू करना / प्रारंभिक स्थिति में लौट आना)
In the context of the sentence, the team has invested a lot of time and energy, but now they are back to square one, meaning they have to start over.
Analyse the options:
• Having to start all over again ✅ – Correct meaning
• In the same city ❌ – Literal and unrelated
• Fighting with each other ❌ – No connection to the idiom
• Not ready for the consequence ❌ – Incorrect interpretation
So, the correct meaning of "back to square one" is Option 1.
Examples
- “After the deal fell through, we were back to square one.”
back to square one – questions
What is the meaning of back to square one in Hindi?
back to square one means “फिर वहीं से शुरू करना” in Hindi. In English: Returning to the starting point with no progress made
What are the synonyms of back to square one?
Synonyms of back to square one: start over, restart.
What is the opposite of back to square one?
Antonyms of back to square one: move forward, progress.
Has back to square one been asked in SSC exams?
Yes – back to square one has been asked 3 times in SSC exams: SSC CPO 2023 T-1, SSC MTS 2023, SSC GD 2022 T-1.