The phrase that means “the place where one proverbially returns to start over” is most commonly: “Back to square one.”

Meaning

  • “Back to square one” means returning to the starting point after a failure, setback, or dead end.
  • It implies having to start over from the beginning , often after time and effort have already been spent.

Why it fits your clue

For the clue “the place where one proverbially returns to start over” :

  • “Square one” is that figurative place you go back to when plans fail.
  • “Back to square one” is a standard idiom in English for exactly this idea of restarting.

Quick Scoop style note

If you are using this as a crossword-style or word-game clue, the most likely answer pattern would be:

  • SQUARE ONE (if the clue is noun-only: “the place …”)
  • BACK TO SQUARE ONE (if the grid allows the full idiom).

Meta description (SEO-style):
Discover what “the place where one proverbially returns to start over” refers to and why “back to square one” is the idiom that perfectly captures returning to the beginning after a setback.

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