Our marketing plan didn’t work, so we’re back to the drawing board.
word origin — Popularized by a 1941 New Yorker cartoon — an engineer comments while his crashed plane burns behind him.
back to the drawing board, play it safe, take the cake, bring home the bacon, up in the air: meanings and examples
Learn these 5 idioms from Idioms set 38. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.
back to the drawing board · idiom/bæk tu ðə ˈdrɔɪŋ bɔrd/
to start over after a failure or mistake
Our marketing plan didn’t work, so we’re back to the drawing board.
Origin: Popularized by a 1941 New Yorker cartoon — an engineer comments while his crashed plane burns behind him.
play it safe · idiom/pleɪ ɪt seɪf/
to avoid taking risks
I’d rather play it safe and not take any big risks.
Origin: An early 1900s expression from gambling and sports — choosing the option with the lowest possible risk.
take the cake · idiom/teɪk ðə keɪk/
to be the most impressive or extreme example of something
His excuse was so ridiculous—it really takes the cake!
Origin: From American 'cake walk' contests in the 1800s — the best dancing couple took home a cake as prize.
bring home the bacon · idiom/brɪŋ hoʊm ðə ˈbeɪkən/
to earn money to support oneself or a family
He works two jobs to bring home the bacon.
Origin: From English country fairs — winners of greased pig contests took home the bacon to feed their families.
up in the air · idiom/ʌp ɪn ði ɛr/
to be uncertain or undecided
Our vacation plans are still up in the air.
Origin: From the 1800s — describes plans not yet grounded in reality, hovering uncertainly above any decision.