I assume it means the same as "starting from scratch" means starting from the beginning, where i've had nothing.
What does it mean when somebody says, I'm right back where I began. :)?
Sometimes we feel we have "Progressed" in Life. Whatever that means to you depends entirely on the goals you have set before you.
Along the way there may be those "Set Backs" where you find yourself moving backward from this progression. Perhaps it applies to relationships, or your career . . . Either way it can seem that not only are you further from your goal, but you seem to now be moving in the opposite direction.
Quick example: Out of college I started as an "Entry Level" Helpdesk IT person, worked my way up and changed jobs to a Junior Network Administrator . . . Before they made me a Full Network Administrator, I lost my job. It was mid-way through our last recession so I took jobs at temp agencies working as an "Entry Level" Helpdesk IT person. "Right back where I began" . . . . In 6 months I was picked up as a Senior PC Technician then Immediately asked to come work for a corporation as a PACS Administrator . . .
Life has it's ups and Downs, we have just found ways to label those times.