Get to the bottom of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Get to the bottom of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when you want to investigate or understand the true nature of a situation or problem. Example: "We need to get to the bottom of this issue before it escalates further."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Get to the bottom of it.

The New Yorker

"Get to the bottom of the mountain".

Independent

We're going to get to the bottom of it.

Independent

But will they get to the bottom of the affair?

The Economist

We have to get to the bottom of what happened.

Independent

"We must get to the bottom of this".

The New York Times

"We have to get to the bottom of it.

The New Yorker

We just want to get to the bottom of it.

The New Yorker

"I'm going to get to the bottom of this.

The New Yorker

study would "get to the bottom of" the facts.

The New York Times

"They will get to the bottom of this," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Get to the bottom of" when you want to emphasize a thorough investigation aimed at uncovering the fundamental cause or truth of a matter.

Common error

Don't just scratch the surface. Ensure your efforts to "get to the bottom of" something involve a deep and comprehensive analysis, not just a quick glance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Get to the bottom of" functions as an idiomatic expression, typically used as a verb phrase. It indicates an action aimed at discovering the underlying truth or cause of a situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "Get to the bottom of" is a versatile and commonly used idiom that signifies a commitment to thorough investigation. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and prevalent usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like ""investigate thoroughly"" or ""uncover the truth"" exist, "Get to the bottom of" offers a direct and accessible way to emphasize the importance of finding a complete explanation. Remember to ensure your investigations are deep and comprehensive to truly ""get to the bottom of"" any issue.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Uncover the truth

Focuses on revealing the actual facts, especially if hidden or obscured.

Investigate thoroughly

Emphasizes a detailed and comprehensive examination of the situation.

Determine the cause

Highlights the act of finding the reason or origin of a problem or situation.

Find out what happened

A more direct way of asking for or discovering information about an event.

Look into the matter

Suggests a formal or official inquiry into the issue.

Ascertain the facts

Stresses the importance of establishing verifiable and accurate information.

Delve into the details

Implies a careful and deep exploration of specific aspects.

Probe the issue

Suggests a searching and questioning approach to understand the problem.

Examine the root

Focuses on identifying the fundamental source or origin of something.

Unravel the mystery

Implies solving a complex or puzzling situation.

FAQs

How can I use "Get to the bottom of" in a sentence?

You can use "Get to the bottom of" to express the need to investigate and understand something thoroughly. For example, "We need to "get to the bottom of" these discrepancies in the report."

What are some alternatives to "Get to the bottom of"?

Alternatives include "investigate thoroughly", "uncover the truth", or "determine the cause". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "Get to the bottom of" or "Solve"?

"Get to the bottom of" implies a thorough investigation to understand the root cause, while "solve" focuses on finding a solution. For instance, you'd ""get to the bottom of"" a mystery, but "solve" a math problem.

Can "Get to the bottom of" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "Get to the bottom of" is appropriate for many contexts, including formal writing. However, in highly formal or academic writing, consider using a more sophisticated alternative like "ascertain the facts" or ""determine the cause"".