Go back to the drawing board

The phrase Go back to the drawing board is often used in English, but what does this idiom mean? When idioms are used in the right situations, they strengthen communication and enrich the language. You can communicate more effectively by learning the meaning of Go back to the drawing board.

Meaning of "Go back to the drawing board"

Meaning

The idiom ‘go back to the drawing board’ is a phrase used when referring to the idea of starting anew or reconsidering the steps taken so far in order to come up with a better solution. It can be used when the current situation has not worked out as intended or when a task needs to be revisited and reframed. The phrase implies that the current approach is not going to lead to the desired result, and that a more creative or innovative approach is necessary. In short, ‘go back to the drawing board’ means to start again, or to revisit a plan or strategy in order to find a better solution.

Etymology

The origin of the idiom ‘go back to the drawing board’ is widely debated. One of the most popular theories is that it first appeared during World War I in the early 1900s when military planners would use a physical “drawing board” to create and revise their blueprints. The original phrase was “back to the board”, which then developed into “back to the drawing board” in the 1920s. Another theory suggests that it originated in the aviation industry in the 1930s, when engineers would use a drawing board to draft and revise plans for new planes.

Usage

The idiom “go back to the drawing board” is used to describe the process of revisiting a plan or strategy in order to find a better solution. It is typically used when the current approach is not going to lead to the desired result, and that a more creative or innovative approach is necessary. It is often used as a positive encouragement to rethink a situation and come up with a better solution.

Example Sentences

• "We've tried everything we can think of, and nothing's working. I think it's time to go back to the drawing board and come up with a new plan."
• "We thought this approach would work, but it hasn't. I suggest we go back to the drawing board and come up with something else."
• "We need to find a better way, so let's go back to the drawing board and see what new ideas we can come up with."

Idioms with similar meaning

"Don't judge a book by its cover" is an English idiom that means you shouldn't make assumptions about someone or something based solely on its appearance. In Japanese, the similar idiom is "Hana yori dango," which translates to "Dumplings rather than flowers." This idiom means that substance is more important than appearance.