9 Better Ways to Say “From Scratch” (Formal Synonyms)

Being able to start something “from scratch” shows resilience and diligence. If you had to start over on something and did a good job, it lets people know that you’re good at what you do. This article will explore some good alternatives you can use for “from scratch.”

The preferred alternatives are “from the ground up,” “from nothing,” and “from the beginning.” These phrases are great to include in formal situations to show that you built something from nothing. It shows that you’re creative and able to work hard.

From The Ground Up

“From the ground up” is the best formal alternative you can use. It shows that you are building something out of nothing. The idiom comes from buildings, which start off as plots of land (or “ground”) and have to be built “up” to create them.

The more you can build “from the ground up,” the stronger you will become as a candidate. That’s why it’s good to use phrases like this in your resume or CV to impress potential employers with your work ethic.

• We’re going to need to rebuild this from the ground up. I appreciate that it isn’t ideal, but it’s the only way we can work this out.
• You’ll have to start working on it from the ground up. There are no other options available right now. Good day.
• Can you redo this project from the ground up? I want to see the diligence and hard work behind the team that you’ve put together.

From Nothing

“From nothing” might seem simple, but it’s a very effective choice that shows you’ve built something from nothing. “Nothing” implies that you had no base or starting point.

If you can demonstrate something you’ve created out of nothing, it will show people what you’re made of. It’ll certainly make you a desirable hire to most employers going forward.

• We made this from nothing, and I think we did a great job. I hope the boss will see that when we present it to her.
• I think you did a good job considering this came from nothing. It should allow you to explore new avenues with your projects.
• I’m not sure if this is right, but it’s come a long way from nothing. It’s time for us to put our skills to the test, really.

From The Beginning

“From the beginning” is a good way to take things back to basics. It shows that you need to think things through and make sure you carry out tasks in a more efficient way based on all the things you’ve learned from other situations.

Again, it’s implied that you aren’t starting with anything here. You are only creating something “from scratch,” which becomes an impressive feat if you manage it successfully.

• I want you to do it from the beginning. This time, make sure you take notes of every possible stage to make it foolproof.
• Can you do it from the beginning? I’d like to see what you’re doing this time to work out how I might be able to replicate it.
• Take it from the beginning. There’s no reason for you to beat around the bush now. I want to see how it’s done from the start.

Back To Square One

“Back to square one” is a great idiomatic expression you can use. It shows that you need to go back to the start of a project or task before you can complete it effectively. It allows you to rethink your approaches before moving forward.

It’s common to learn from experiences. The more time you invest in something, the better you get at it. Therefore, when you complete a task or project once and return “back to square one,” you should be much better equipped to handle the project’s demands this time.

• Okay, it’s time for you to go back to square one. I know you’ve worked hard to get here, but there are some things we have to do now.
• I want to go back to square one to sort this out. I think it’s only fair that I get the chance to try and do that.
• Will you go back to square one to fix this project? I know it’s not ideal, but I think too much has gone wrong to let it slide.

From Zero

“From zero” is a good choice in some contexts. It’s a good synonym because it shows that you’re working from nothing. “Zero” is used to show that you have nothing to start with and that you are creating things as you go.

“From zero” isn’t as common as some of the other options. Nevertheless, it still has its place in business English. It’s worth holding on to this one in case you can find a good place to make use of it.

• We started from zero, and we managed to get here. I think that’s a good sign that we’re capable of doing things that others can’t.
• We made this from zero. The boss wanted us to come up with something as good as this. I think it worked well.
• It would help if you began from zero. I don’t want to see anyone cutting corners on this. It’s not fair that you get to get away with it.

From The Top

“From the top” is a good way to show that you need someone to repeat a task or situation. “The top” means you have to go back to the beginning. If you want to see whether someone can improve something, this phrase works well.

It’s most common to hear “from the top” in performances. People will say “from the top” after a song rehearsal to get all of the people to sing the song again. This time, the aim is to do it better and learn from previous mistakes.

• Take it from the top. We can’t keep slipping up now. We need to make sure this next one is perfect before handing it in.
• Okay, from the top now. We know what we have to do. We just have to make sure it’s the best version of itself.
• I need you to do this from the top. I appreciate the effort you’ve put in, but there are some kinks that need to be ironed out.

Ex Nihilo

“Ex nihilo” is an interesting one you can use. It’s a Latin phrase that is still somewhat popular today. People use it all the time to refer to something that was created from scratch or from nothing.

“Ex nihilo” translates to “out of nothing.” It shows that you created something from the ground up without having a starting point. This is a great way to demonstrate your prowess in certain fields.

• Can you do this ex nihilo for me? I know that’s a lot to ask, but I would love to see how it started out and got to where it is.
• It needs to be done ex nihilo. I’m afraid there isn’t much more I can say about that. It’s just a personal preference that must be sorted.
• Ex nihilo or not, I love what you’ve done with this project. I think this is exactly what I was looking for, to be fair!

Out Of Nothing

“Out of nothing” is the English translation for “ex nihilo.” You can use it in the same vein, and some people prefer using it because it is English (rather than Latin). It’s a great one to use in business contexts.

Again, if you’ve managed to create something from “nothing,” it means you’ve created all the important parts yourself. This shows that you’re creative and hard-working.

• We made this out of nothing, but we’re not getting the respect we deserve for it. Perhaps we should take our talents elsewhere.
• I made this out of nothing. You asked me to create a masterpiece, and I think I figured out the best way to do this through these methods.
• I’m sorry, but I said to do it out of nothing. That means you had to start completely from scratch. You cheated.

Do It Again

“Do it again” is a command that you might hear. It shows that someone is asking you to complete a task again, often by implying that you need to do it without any outside input.

This works best when someone is disappointed by what you’ve achieved. If they think you can do better, or they want you to work on it “from scratch,” they might demand that you try to “do it again.”

There’s no guarantee that your second attempt will be better. However, if someone wants the best for you and wants you to apply yourself, you might find that they use this to try and get you there.

• Do it again but do it better. I want to be inspired by the work you’ve put in. I know you’re more than capable of figuring this out.
• Okay, now do it again. I want to see your spirit really shine through this time. I know you’ve got the potential in you.
• Do it again. It’s time that you focus on your ability and show me what you’re capable of before moving on from this.