Start from scratch
Meaning
To begin something completely new, without using any previous work, materials, or preparations.
Origin
The phrase "start from scratch" has its roots in the competitive world of 19th-century sports, particularly racing. In disciplines like running, boxing, or even billiards, a "scratch" was a literal mark or line drawn on the ground or table from which competitors were meant to begin. Those who were given no handicap—no head start or advantage—were said to "start from scratch," meaning they began at the precise, unprivileged starting line. This physical act of commencing a race from a basic, undifferentiated point soon evolved into a powerful metaphor for beginning any task or project anew, without any pre-existing foundation, materials, or prior work.
Examples
- After the company's server crashed, the IT team had to start from scratch to rebuild the entire system.
- When her first novel was rejected, she decided to start from scratch on a new story rather than trying to revise the old one.