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to start over

to start over

283 2.5
To do something again from the start after a mistake or problem
  • phrasal verb
  • /stɑrt ˈoʊvər/
translation icon : volver a empezar
  • He lost everything in the fire and had to start over from scratch.
  • start over again
  • start all over
  • back and start over

When you mess up, start over, start over right away.

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Examples

  • Knowing what I know now, if I could start over today, would I still blink?

  • We need to start over.

  • So it's like I wanted to start over and get my own stuff.

  • I guess we can stop and start over if you would like.

  • I just want to start over.

  • Maybe we should... just start completely over.

  • I'll just start over again.

  • We're going to have to start over, I told him, defeated.

  • I'd have to start all over again.

  • A recent revelation made him feel as though he were starting all over again as a son.

    Fiction book (1992)

Synonyms

to try again
vsto start over
461 1.0

Do something one more time after you fail

is about doing the task again, but not necessarily from the very first step
to reset
vsto start over
107 2.9

To set something back to its original state

is about making the whole activity new again rather than only restoring settings
to renew
vsto start over
94 3.7

Start again after a pause, often a relationship or activity

is focused on renewal and strengthening rather than returning to the very first step
to restart
vsto start over
85 2.3

Start something again after it stops or is interrupted

is more about putting something into action again after it stopped or paused
to redo
vsto start over
47 2.1

Do something again to fix mistakes or make it better

is broader, meaning perform the entire task again instead of just fixing parts
to reestablish
vsto start over
37 4.3

To bring back something that stopped or was lost

is about restoring what existed before rather than making an entirely new version
to rekindle
vsto start over
33 5.1

Make a feeling or interest strong again

is different because it focuses on reviving emotions or interest rather than projects
to start fresh
vsto start over
  • Informal
26 3.6

Begin again without bringing past problems

is similar but stresses no old issues are kept when you repeat the task
to reignite
vsto start over
15 4.6

To make an interest, feeling, or activity start again after it stopped

is similar but can apply more to actions or full processes not only feelings
back to square one
vsto start over
  • Informal
12 4.3

To start again after a failure

is the general idea of doing something again from the original point after failure
to go back to the drawing board
vsto start over
  • Informal
9 4.2

Start again from the beginning when a plan or idea fails

is about doing the whole task again from its very first step after failure
to wipe the slate clean
vsto start over
  • Informal
8 5.0

To start fresh by forgetting past mistakes and problems

is similar but puts stronger emphasis on erasing past blame or faults
to relaunch
vsto start over
7 3.9

To start something again after it stops or after you change it

is similar but often follows revision or change before doing it again
to get back on the horse
vsto start over
  • Informal
6 5.0

To try again after a failure, especially when you feel afraid

is similar but focuses on resuming despite earlier loss of confidence
to reengage
vsto start over
4 4.0

Begin being involved again after a break

is narrower, meaning rejoining involvement rather than making a complete new cycle
to retry
vsto start over
4 2.7

Do something again after it fails or is interrupted

is broader, meaning a complete fresh attempt from the very first step after failure
to rerun
vsto start over
3 2.9

Repeat a test or experiment to check the results

is about making a complete new beginning from the first step not mere repetition
to reinitiate
vsto start over
1 5.9

To start a process or system again after it stopped

is similar but used mainly for technical or system processes rather than general actions
to start from the drawing board
vsto start over
  • Informal
4.0

To begin a plan or project again from the start after a failure

is broader, used for any activity done again from the very first step
to start with a clean sheet
vsto start over
  • Informal
4.4

Do something new and not worry about past mistakes

is about doing the work again but focuses on leaving past problems behind
to reattempt
vsto start over
3.2

To try again to do something after failing

is about doing the action again from the first step rather than only trying
to kick at the can
vsto start over
  • US
8.4

Try again to do something after failing

is like trying again but with a casual perhaps less serious approach

Antonyms

1.0

To keep doing something without stopping

931 3.1

Keep an activity, quality, or schedule going over time

How Fresh

to wipe the slate clean
  • Informal
8 5.0
to start over
283 2.5
to start fresh
  • Informal
26 3.6
to move on
670 3.1
to forgive
1.4

Surface Forms

start over infinitive
started over past participle
starting over present participle
starts over third person singular

Morphology

start + over

The meaning 'to begin again' is directly derivable from combining 'start' (to begin) with 'over' (indicating repetition or doing something again). This verb+particle pattern is common and mirrors equivalent constructions in many languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

The phrasal verb start over shows a simple image: you start doing something, then go over to the beginning again, like erasing a page and writing from scratch. So it means 'to begin again from the very beginning'.