bottom out

USAGE SUMMARY

"bottom out" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean reaching a low point, or when a trend or amount stops going lower. For example, "The stock market bottomed out after the pandemic hit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

"It's not going to bottom out immediately," Ms. Marten said.

The New York Times

Temperatures could bottom out around negative 20 degrees in the eastern part of the state overnight.

The Guardian

"The question is, Are we seeing a modest, multiyear decline that will bottom out?

The New York Times

If everything follows their model, the economists say property values should bottom out by mid-2009.

The New York Times

And further wonders if he'll bottom out and "break my lease and become a cutter".

The New York Times - Arts

"We continue to expect economic activity to bottom out, then to turn up later this year".

The New York Times

"We can keep cutting, but we need this to start to bottom out".

The New York Times

A recent Citibank report predicted that oil is likely to "bottom out" in 2016.

The Guardian

"I thought this was a rebuilding year, but we didn't bottom out completely.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Total bottom-out-hint count The total number of bottom-out hints requested by students while solving the Skill Builder.

International Journal of STEM Education

An expectation that mechanism descriptions "bottom-out" in lowest level activities of molecular entities (Darden 2006).

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing economic downturns or declines in any field, use "bottom out" to indicate the point at which the decline stops and stabilization begins. For example, "Analysts predict the housing market will "bottom out" by the end of the year".

Common error

Avoid using "bottom out" when you mean "peak." "Bottom out" refers to the lowest point of decline, whereas "peak" refers to the highest point. Using them interchangeably can completely reverse the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bottom out" functions as an intransitive verb, often used to describe the end of a decline or recession. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "bottom out" is a common and grammatically correct term used to describe the point at which a decline ceases. According to Ludwig AI, it's suitable for written English, with examples showing its prevalence in news and media, Wiki, and science. It's essential to use "bottom out" accurately to avoid confusion with terms like "peak". When writing, remember that "bottom out" indicates the end of a downward trend and a potential stabilization or recovery. Also remember to use similar sentences like "reach a low point". By understanding its proper context, you can effectively communicate the concept of reaching the lowest level before a potential upturn.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reach a low point

Replaces "bottom out" with a more literal description of reaching the lowest level.

hit rock bottom

Emphasizes the negativity of the situation by implying the worst possible point has been reached.

reach the nadir

A more formal and technical term for the lowest point of something.

decline no further

Focuses on the cessation of decline rather than the point itself.

stop declining

A simpler and more direct way of saying something is no longer decreasing.

find a floor

Similar to "bottom out" but commonly used in financial contexts to indicate price stabilization.

stabilize at a low level

Describes the act of becoming stable after a period of decrease.

touch the lowest level

More descriptive and literal way to say it has reached its minimum.

reach its lowest ebb

Implies a temporary low point, like a tide, before a rise or improvement.

cease to fall

A more formal way of saying something has stopped decreasing in value or quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "bottom out" in a sentence?

You can use "bottom out" to describe when something reaches its lowest point before potentially recovering. For example, "The economy is expected to "bottom out" in the next quarter."

What does it mean when someone says something will "bottom out"?

Saying something will "bottom out" means it will reach its lowest point in a decline, after which it may stabilize or begin to increase. It's often used in economic contexts.

Is it correct to say "bottomed out"?

Yes, "bottomed out" is the past tense of "bottom out" and is used to describe something that has already reached its lowest point. For example, "The stock price "bottomed out" last month."

What is a synonym for "bottom out"?

A synonym for "bottom out" is "reach a low point". This conveys a similar meaning of reaching the lowest possible level before a potential turnaround.