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(ordered by seriousness) ESL Vocabulary Lists Parts of Speech Lists A-Z Idioms and Proverbs Tests and Games Top Tip Install a grammar checker
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Back to the Drawing Board (Origin)
What Is the Origin of the Saying "Back to the Drawing Board"?
The term "back to the drawing board" means to return to the start when an attempt fails.Table of Contents
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Examples of Use:
- The team's initial plan didn't work out as expected, so they had to go back to the drawing board to come up with a new strategy.
- After receiving feedback from users, the developers realized they needed to go back to the drawing board and redesign the user interface.
- The first prototype of the product didn't meet the requirements, so the engineers had to scrap it and start back at the drawing board.
- The marketing campaign didn't generate the desired results, so the team had to regroup and go back to the drawing board to create a new approach.
- Despite putting in a lot of effort, the design didn't meet the client's expectations, and the designers had to start back at the drawing board.

Somewhat ironically, "back to the drawing board" often carries positive overtones in recognition of the eventual route to success being narrowed down.
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