all time low

USAGE SUMMARY

"all time low" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to something that has reached its lowest point or level, like a stock market price, a temperature, or a score. For example, "The Dow Jones hit an all time low last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Congressional approval was at its all time low of 12%.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mumford & Sons Alt-J Bastille Bastille All-J All Time Low Panic!

The Guardian - Music

At the present time, work and family have pushed my productivity to an all time low.

Harvard University

Despite the increase in automation and robotics, productivity is at an all time low.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Brazil's prestige and reputation is at an all time low.

BBC

Interest in the BBB is at an all time low.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

It was an awful, all-time low.

The New York Times

"He's at an all-time low.

The Guardian - Sport

That's close to an all-time low.

The Washington Post

It had already hit an all-time low this week.

The Guardian - Tech

Confidence in the police is at an all-time low".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "all time low", ensure you clearly specify what is at its lowest point. For instance, "The company's stock price hit an all time low" is more informative than simply saying "Things are at an all time low".

Common error

Avoid using "all time low" when you only have data for a limited period. "Record low for this year" is more appropriate if you lack historical data to claim it's an all time low.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all time low" functions as a noun phrase, often used as an adjective modifying another noun. Ludwig AI confirms it is a valid expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

22%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "all time low" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate that something has reached its lowest recorded level. According to Ludwig, it is suitable for various contexts, primarily appearing in news and academic sources. When using this phrase, ensure you are clear about what specifically is at its lowest point and that your data supports the claim. Consider alternatives like "record low" or "nadir" depending on the specific meaning and context you wish to convey. While versatile, it's important to avoid overstating its use when historical data is limited.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

record low

Focuses on the term "record" as the key indicator of reaching its lowest.

historic low

Highlights that the low point is significant in history.

lowest level ever

Directly states that something has reached its lowest possible extent.

unprecedented low

Stresses that the low point is something that has never happened before.

rock bottom

Emphasizes the idea of hitting the very bottom, often used in a negative context.

nadir

Uses a more formal and literary term for the lowest point.

in a trough

Uses a business-related term to refer to the lowest point of a business cycle.

a low point

A more generic term referring to something negative.

at its worst

Indicates that a situation or condition has reached its most undesirable state.

the pits

An informal idiom for a very bad situation.

FAQs

How can I use "all time low" in a sentence?

You can use "all time low" to describe something that has reached its lowest recorded level. For example, "Confidence in the government is at an all time low".

What's a more formal synonym for "all time low"?

A more formal synonym for "all time low" is "nadir", which refers to the lowest point.

Is it okay to use "all time low" in professional writing?

Yes, "all time low" is suitable for professional writing, especially when discussing data or trends. For instance, you might say, "Interest rates are at an all time low" in an economics report.

What's the difference between "record low" and "all time low"?

"Record low" might refer to a low within a specific timeframe (e.g., "record low for the month"), while "all time low" refers to the lowest point ever recorded, across all time periods.