English with Jo

Start from Scratch

To start from scratch means to start at the very beginning, when a first attempt has failed.

Example: I ruined the cake I just baked.  Now I have to start from scratch.

Did you know...?   The word 'scratch' has been used since the 18th century as a sporting term for a boundary or starting point which was scratched on the ground, for example the line drawn on the ground as a starting point for a race.  Therefore, 'scratch' has been associated with starting from the beginning.