振り出し
Meanings
shaking out; sprinkling
The act of shaking something out of a container, such as salt, pepper, or powder.
I can't shake the salt out properly.
starting point; beginning; outset
Metaphorical use: the point from which something starts, often in games, projects, or life situations. Common in the phrase 振り出しに戻る (go back to square one).
The negotiations went back to square one.
Stand at a new starting point in life.
Used in financial or administrative contexts for issuing a bill, check, or draft. Often appears as 手形の振り出し.
Care is needed when issuing a bill.
throw of dice; dice roll
Specifically the act of throwing dice, especially in board games like sugoroku. Also used metaphorically for a decisive move.
I rolled a 6 on the first throw.
shaker; dispenser
A container with a perforated top for shaking out contents, such as a saltshaker or pepper shaker. Often used in compounds like 塩振り出し.
Please put the saltshaker on the table.
Usage patterns
- 振り出しから始めるto start over again from the very beginning
Since the plan failed, we had to start over from scratch.
- 振り出しに戻すto send (a situation, project, etc.) back to square one
The judges decided to send the proposal back to square one.
Expressions
- 振り出しに戻るgo back to square one; make a fresh start; be back where one started