(しき)(なお)

しきりなおし
noun
fresh start, do-over, starting over
action
1. fresh start, do-over, starting over
Scrapping a current attempt and starting again from the beginning. Originally a sumo term for when both wrestlers return to their starting positions to begin a bout again.
仕切(しき)(なお)必要(ひつよう)だ。
We need a fresh start.
計画(けいかく)うまくいかなかったで、仕切(しき)(なお)することにした。
The plan didn't work out, so we decided to start over.
The negotiations hit a dead end, but we plan to start fresh again next week.

Origin: Originally a sumo term. When wrestlers fail to charge at each other properly at the start of a bout, the referee calls for a 仕切(しき)(なお)し — both wrestlers return to the starting lines and begin again.

Common patterns

  • 仕切(しき)(なお)する: to start over, to redo
  • 仕切(しき)(なお)(はか): to aim for a fresh start

Usage: Widely used beyond sumo in everyday conversation, business, and politics to describe restarting something that has stalled or failed. It implies a complete reset rather than a minor adjustment.