What is square one?

Answer 1

Square one is a term we apply to "the first step" in a process, activity or something that is sequenced. Square one is the beginning. The start. The launch point. If, in a process that is stepped along toward completion, a major disaster forces a total halt to the activity because it simply cannot continue along on the current line, those involved may be forced to "go back to square one" and start over to get the project through to completion.

Answer 2

"Square one" is a term often used to refer to the starting point or the beginning of a process or situation. It represents going back to the basics or starting fresh.