drawing board

"There's another bit that moves on in court - something changes - and we're back to the drawing board," he added.

Wednesday's rejection means the government will have to go back to the drawing board, with little time to meet its 27 October deadline.

The format tried in March was a flop, with Silver admitting, “We’re a bit back to the drawing board.”

But his momentum didn’t last, and he ended his night by admitting, “Taking myself back to the drawing board.”

Several weeks later, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order reaffirming California’s commitment to its emissions goals, and effectively sending state agencies back to the drawing board in light of a newly antagonistic federal government.