Bottomed out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Bottomed out" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where something has reached its lowest point, often in terms of performance, value, or condition. Example: "After several months of declining sales, the company's profits finally bottomed out, prompting a reevaluation of their marketing strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

In 1981, Mr. Jones bottomed out.

The New York Times

His quarterback rating bottomed out at 20.5.

The New York Times - Sports

Unless they haven't bottomed out yet.

The Guardian - Sport

But after the Colts bottomed out, Indianapolis's fortunes changed dramatically.

The New York Times

People feel the market has pretty much bottomed out".

The New York Times

He had bottomed out in a hospital some months earlier.

The New York Times

Central Islip just 15 years ago had bottomed out economically.

The New York Times

American fertility rates bottomed out around 1985, and began rising.

The New York Times

They thought the market had bottomed out, but maybe not.

The New York Times

"Prices here have pretty much bottomed out," Mr. Brower said.

The New York Times

"The downturn may have bottomed out finally," Mr. Williams said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing economic trends or personal recoveries, use "bottomed out" to indicate the lowest point before an upturn. It adds a sense of anticipation for improvement.

Common error

Avoid using "bottomed out" for temporary setbacks. This phrase implies a definitive low point before recovery, not just a minor dip. Using it inappropriately can misrepresent the situation's severity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bottomed out" functions as a phrasal verb, often used intransitively, to indicate that something has reached its lowest point, typically before a recovery or improvement. Ludwig AI shows examples across varied contexts, confirming its established usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "bottomed out" is a common and grammatically correct phrasal verb used to describe the point at which something reaches its lowest level before starting to recover. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Formal & Business settings. It is important to note that using "bottomed out" implies the end of a decline, as opposed to just a temporary setback. Alternatives include phrases like "reached its nadir" or "hit rock bottom", depending on the desired nuance. Understanding its specific connotation is key to using it correctly and effectively in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Reached its nadir

Emphasizes the attainment of the lowest point in a cycle or situation, similar to reaching the bottom.

Hit rock bottom

Highlights the negative aspect of reaching the lowest possible point, often implying a crisis.

Reached the lowest ebb

Focuses on a low point in a fluctuating situation or process, like a tide.

Declined no further

Indicates the cessation of a decline, without necessarily implying the absolute lowest point.

Reached the floor

Implies a limit has been reached, preventing further descent or decrease.

Plummeted to its depths

Emphasizes a rapid and dramatic fall to the lowest level.

Reached its trough

Analogous to the lowest point in a wave, it implies cyclical movement.

Degenerated completely

Stresses the complete degradation or deterioration of something, culminating in a low state.

Worsened terminally

Implies a final and irreversible worsening, reaching a definitive low.

Crumbled to nothing

Focuses on the disintegration and reduction to the lowest state of worthlessness.

FAQs

How is "bottomed out" typically used in a sentence?

"Bottomed out" is often used to describe a situation that has reached its lowest point, after which an improvement is expected. For example, "The economy "bottomed out" in the first quarter, but is now showing signs of recovery".

What can I say instead of "bottomed out" to describe a low point?

Alternatives to "bottomed out" include "hit rock bottom", "reached its nadir", or "reached the lowest ebb". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is it correct to say something has "bottomed out" if it might still decline further?

No, "bottomed out" implies that the lowest point has been reached and a recovery or improvement is anticipated. If further decline is possible, it's more accurate to say that something is "declining" or "continuing to fall".

What's the difference between "bottomed out" and "declined"?

"Declined" simply indicates a decrease, whereas "bottomed out" suggests that the decline has stopped and the lowest point has been reached. After a period of decline, something can be said to have "bottomed out".