元もとの木もく阿あ弥み

expression

back to square one; ending up right back where one started

Idiomatic expression used when efforts or changes ultimately result in returning to the original, often undesirable, state. Conveys a sense of futility or irony.

• せっかく昇しょう進しんしたのに、部ぶ署しょが統とう合ごうされて元もとの木もく阿あ弥みだ。

  I finally got promoted, but the departments merged and I'm right back where I started.

• ダイエットに成せい功こうしたが、リバウンドで元もとの木もく阿あ弥みになった。

  I succeeded in losing weight, but rebounded and ended up back at square one.