1.
to go back to square one; to start from scratch; to cancel and redo
To abandon plans, agreements, or progress and return to the very beginning, as if nothing had been decided yet.
計画を白紙に戻す。
Scrap the plan and start over.
交渉は白紙に戻された。
The negotiations were sent back to square one.
住民の反対を受けて、市は開発計画を白紙に戻すことを決めた。
Facing opposition from residents, the city decided to scrap the development plan.
Literally "to return to blank paper." 白紙 (blank paper) symbolizes a state where nothing has been written or decided — a clean slate.
USAGE:
Common in news and formal contexts when plans, policies, or agreements are completely canceled. Stronger than simply revising or modifying — it implies everything is discarded and must be reconsidered from zero. Often used in passive form: 白紙に戻された.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 計画を白紙に戻す — to scrap a plan
- 合意を白紙に戻す — to void an agreement
- 白紙に戻して考え直す — to go back to the drawing board
- 白紙撤回 — complete withdrawal/cancellation
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 振り出しに戻る — to go back to the starting point
- 撤回する — to retract, to withdraw; to take back a statement or proposal
- やり直す — to redo; more casual, implies trying again