白 紙(はくし)に戻(もど)す

はくしにもどす

expression

to go back to square one; to start from scratch; to scrap

abstract

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(けいかく)を白紙(はくし)に戻(もど)す。

Scrap the plan and start over.

交渉(こうしょう)は白紙(はくし)に戻(もど)された。

The negotiations were sent back to square one.

住民(じゅうみん)の反対(はんたい)を受(う)けて、市(し)は開発(かいはつ)計画(けいかく)を白紙(はくし)に戻(もど)すことを決(き)めた。

Facing opposition from residents, the city decided to scrap the development plan.

Literally "to return to blank paper." 白紙(はくし) (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(はくし)に戻(もど)された.

Common collocations

計画(けいかく)を白紙(はくし)に戻(もど)す — to scrap a plan
合意(ごうい)を白紙(はくし)に戻(もど)す — to void an agreement
白紙(はくし)に戻(もど)して考(かんが)え直(なお)す — to go back to the drawing board
白紙(はくし)撤回(てっかい) — complete withdrawal/cancellation

Similar words

振(ふ)り出(だ)しに戻(もど)る — to go back to the starting point
撤回(てっかい)する — to retract, to withdraw; to take back a statement or proposal
やり直(なお)す — to redo; more casual, implies trying again

Related Words

Compare: 振(ふ)り出(だ)しに戻(もど)る (to go back to the starting point)

Compare: 撤回(てっかい) (to retract, to withdraw)

Compare: やり直(なお)す (to redo)

Compare: 仕切(しき)り直(なお)す (to start over)

Compare: 沙汰止(さたや)み (being dropped)

general

Added 2026.3.26 20:50 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

19500/19685_hakushinimodosu