英语博客-北美风情 193、Back to the drawing board

  This episode¹ is about expressions used when starting something again. Sometimes when problems arise, we have to go back to the beginning to start again and do better. You might have to go back to the drawing board because a project had some mistakes. Or maybe you have to wipe the slate² clean because you had an idea that didn’t work. Listen to this episode all about starting again. Everyone makes mistakes sometimes!

　　Maura: Yes. The next expression, which also means³ that you have to start something again, is to go back to square one.

　　Harp⁴: Yes, to go back to square one.

　　Maura:go back to square one means that you have to start something again, also usually because there were some problems or it wasn’t working out the first time, so for some reason you have to begin again.

　　Harp: Yeah. So to go back to square one . In this expression, square one means the beginning. So when you say to go go back to square one , it means to go back to the beginning.

　　Maura: Yeah, it makes sense because one is the first number, after all.

　　Harp: It’s true.

　　Maura: This actually has a really interesting origin.

　　Harp: What is it, Maura?

　　Maura: Well, to go go back to square one is likely from a game…

1 episode   

n.（作品的一段）情节，插曲，系列事件中之一

参考例句：

• The episode was a huge embarrassment for all concerned.这段小插曲令所有有关人员都感到非常尴尬。
• This episode remains sharply engraved on my mind.这段经历至今仍深深地铭刻在我的心中。

2 slate   

n.板岩，石板，石片，石板色，候选人名单；adj.暗蓝灰色的，含板岩的；vt.用石板覆盖，痛打，提名，预订

参考例句：

• The nominating committee laid its slate before the board.提名委员会把候选人名单提交全体委员会讨论。
• What kind of job uses stained wood and slate? 什么工作会接触木头污浊和石板呢？

3 means   

n.方法，手段，折中点，物质财富

参考例句：

• That man used artful means to find out secrets.那人使用狡猾的手段获取机密。
• We must get it done by some means or other.我们总得想办法把它干完。

4 harp   

n.竖琴；天琴座

参考例句：

• She swept her fingers over the strings of the harp.她用手指划过竖琴的琴弦。
• He played an Irish melody on the harp.他用竖琴演奏了一首爱尔兰曲调。