Practice not being too literal # 65

Question

As my title says, I am trying to learn to not be literal in translations, so every day I will post a saying in English and ask for suggestions as to how to convey the thought in Spanish. At the end of the day, I will pick the answer that I think most accurately reflects the idea, and I will choose it as best answer for 20 points to the respondent.

Today's phrase is, "back to the drawing board."

Have fun!

Answer 1

"Y bueno, hay que empezar de nuevo.." "Oh well, we have to start again..."

Answer 2

Volver a pensarlo.

Go back to thinking about it.

Piensalo de nuevo.

Think again.

Answer 3

Es un maldito desmadre. Regresamos al inicio.

It's a bloody mess. We're going back to the start.

Instead of lio (which is a word I use) here they would use desmadre. - gringojrf, Nov 4, 2012

Desmadre estaria bien.... - francobollo, Nov 5, 2012

typo: the start - rac1, Nov 5, 2012

Thanks, Gringo! That's a new word for me. - Noetol, Nov 5, 2012

Answer 4

If at first you don't succeed, try again.

Si al principio no tienes éxito, vuelve a intentarlo.

Run like hell is right! - francobollo, Nov 5, 2012

Lol - rac1, Nov 5, 2012

Answer 5

If at the start you don't have success, try again. Si al principio no tienes éxito, inténtalo de nuevo.

Answer 6

De vuelta al comienzo. Ya me está hartando este jueguito.... lol

¿Qué dices? ¿Comenzar desde el principio? ¡Ni de coña!

Manda todo al carajo, respira profundo y vuelve a empezar.

Answer 7

¡Chingado pues! Vamos a revisar de nuevo.

I hope I don't get censored for this answer. But it is very common usage here in Mexico.

Pretty salty, but that's how real people talk! :)) - Noetol, Nov 4, 2012

Now I know how to say it - gracias :) - ian-hill, Nov 4, 2012

Answer 8

"Oh well back to the drawing board"

Start again on a new design or plan after the failure of an earlier attempt

Comience de nuevo en un nuevo diseño o plan tras el fracaso de un intento anterior

Start over

Exactamudo! - rac1, Nov 5, 2012

I mean, exactamundo................. - rac1, Nov 6, 2012