über die Bücher

German

Etymology

Literally, “over the books”, likely in reference to accounting books (that one has to pore over again in case of an accounting error).

Prepositional phrase

über die Bücher

1. (Switzerland) reconsidering the situation, (temporarily withdrawing from the public eye) and amending one's approach; back to the drawing board

   jemand muss noch einmal über die Bücher ― someone has to go back to the drawing board

Usage notes

• Often used with a preceding nochmals, nochmal, noch einmal or neu.
• Often used with the verbs gehen, müssen or wollen.