bottom of despair

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bottom of despair" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of extreme sadness or hopelessness, often when someone feels they have reached the lowest point emotionally. Example: "After losing his job and going through a tough breakup, he felt like he was at the bottom of despair."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's an approach that extends back to Velvet Underground ballads by way of Mazzy Star and the Cowboy Junkies, seeking a simplicity that is both a refuge and a bottoming out of despair, and it can strive for folky simplicity, as Damon and Naomi did, or reach a lapidary complexity, as with the ghostly, complex harmonies of Ida.

The New York Times - Arts

Until sentiment hits rock-bottom levels of "despair," there could be additional downside ahead.

Forbes

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn said of him that his imprisonment "was more bitter and longer than mine, and I say with respect that it fell to him, not to me, to touch that bottom of brutalisation and despair to which the whole of camp life dragged us".

The Guardian - Books

What was at the bottom of his sense of despair?

The New York Times

What was at the bottom of his sense of despair?" — have the same likely answer: His depression bullied him into killing himself.

The New York Times

Arsenal are also keen on Morgan Schneiderlin, who has it in his head that he needs to play for a big club, ignoring the pattern that has seen everyone who left Southampton this year at the bottom of a pit of despair, while those who have stayed put/joined them are having a lovely old time.

The Guardian - Sport

When I'm at the bottom of the pit of despair (otherwise known as circling the drain) I daydream about quitting.

Huffington Post

When going through hardships, be sure to balance your sorrowful movies, books, and thoughts, with funny, humorous ones, to prevent you from hitting the bottom of the pit of despair.

WikiHow

However, for all the exuberance of an ad industry in full cry, it's hard not to despair at the bottom of the barrel national stereotypes and cliches on show.

The Guardian

Positive comments from Citigroup gave Wall Street a sizable lift on Tuesday, but the recovery from the depths of despair does not necessarily represent a definitive stock-market bottom.

Forbes

Any celebs hoping to crack next year's Christmas market should take note: look upon the work of the guy with the hairy ears and the saggy scarlet bottom, and despair.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "bottom of despair", ensure the context clearly establishes the situation or event leading to such a low emotional state. This provides a more impactful and relatable understanding for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "bottom of despair" too frequently, as it can become a cliché. Vary your language with synonyms like "depths of despair" or "pit of despair" to maintain reader engagement and avoid sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bottom of despair" functions as a noun phrase, specifically describing the lowest possible emotional state. It combines a literal term ("bottom") with an abstract noun ("despair") to depict a situation of utter hopelessness. Ludwig AI provides examples where this phrase is used to describe a point of crisis or extreme sadness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "bottom of despair" is a grammatically correct way to describe a state of profound sadness or hopelessness. According to Ludwig AI, its usage is relatively rare but occurs primarily in news and media, as well as in wiki and scientific contexts. While effective in conveying intense emotional distress, it's important to use the phrase judiciously and consider synonyms like "depths of despair" or "pit of despair" to avoid overuse. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly establishes the events leading to such a low emotional state for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depths of despair

Emphasizes the extreme level or degree of despair.

pit of despair

Uses a metaphorical 'pit' to convey a sense of being trapped in despair.

abyss of despair

Suggests a vast and seemingly endless state of hopelessness.

state of utter hopelessness

Focuses on the complete absence of hope.

rock bottom of sadness

Emphasizes reaching the lowest possible point of sadness.

nadir of despondency

Uses more formal language to indicate the lowest point of low spirits or discouragement.

deepest dejection

Highlights a state of profound sadness and discouragement.

utter devastation

Focuses on the feeling of being completely ruined or destroyed emotionally.

extreme sorrow

A more straightforward expression of intense sadness.

darkest depths of sorrow

Combines 'darkest depths' with 'sorrow' to emphasize the intensity of sadness.

FAQs

How can I use "bottom of despair" in a sentence?

You can use "bottom of despair" to describe a state of extreme sadness or hopelessness, such as, "After a series of unfortunate events, he found himself at the bottom of despair."

What are some alternatives to "bottom of despair"?

You can use alternatives like "depths of despair", "pit of despair", or "abyss of despair" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "bottom of despair" a common phrase?

While grammatically correct, "bottom of despair" is not as common as other similar phrases like "depths of despair". Using synonyms can sometimes make your writing more impactful.

What is the difference between "bottom of despair" and "depths of despair"?

Both phrases convey a similar meaning of extreme sadness, but "depths of despair" often implies a greater intensity or a more prolonged state of hopelessness compared to "bottom of despair".