bottoming out

USAGE SUMMARY

"bottoming out" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which a trend or process has reached its lowest point or level. For example, "The stock market had been consistently falling for weeks, but finally seemed to be bottoming out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It suggests that China's economy "is bottoming out".

The New York Times

"It looks like they might be bottoming out," Mr. Brown said.

The New York Times

Almost all of them spoke of "bottoming out," "stabilization," or both.

The New York Times

"Even the recessions in the Baltic states and southeastern Europe appear to be finally bottoming out".

The New York Times

A ship-grounding scar UnGlorias A disgrace to the village Bottoming out Reprints.

The Economist

Over all, corporate lending has rebounded 7.2 percent after bottoming out in October 2010.

The New York Times

Mr. Ducate said that "the industry is showing signs of recovering" after bottoming out in 2010.

The New York Times

But he said the decline in recruitment advertising appeared to be "bottoming out".

The New York Times

"But based on our leading indicators, we think we are bottoming out".

The New York Times

Even the technology sector seems to be bottoming out after a yearlong slump.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The bottoming-out of trade reflects a slowing of the decline in the world economy.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider context. While acceptable in business and economics writing, the level of formality should match the specific audience.

Common error

Don't assume that "bottoming out" automatically means a recovery is imminent. It simply indicates the end of a decline; the situation may remain stagnant for some time before improving.

Linguistic Context

Bottoming out" functions as a phrasal verb, often used to describe the action of reaching the lowest point in a decline, such as in economics or personal situations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently used. Examples show its applicability in diverse contexts, from markets to personal struggles.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bottoming out" is a phrasal verb correctly used to describe reaching the lowest point after a decline, often implying a potential turn for the better. As Ludwig AI validates, this term is grammatically sound and suitable for various contexts, including economics, personal development, and sports. It is frequently found in news and business publications, making it a versatile term for describing transitions from decline to stability. Keep in mind, as noted in the writing guidance, that "bottoming out" does not guarantee an immediate recovery but rather signals the end of a decline. When writing, ensure that your claim is supported by evidence to avoid misleading readers. With a high frequency of usage and broad applicability, "bottoming out" is a valuable term for describing transitional phases across different domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reaching a low point

Focuses on the act of arriving at the lowest possible level before any potential recovery.

hitting the bottom

Emphasizes the impact of reaching the lowest point, often suggesting a difficult or challenging experience.

finding a floor

Highlights the establishment of a stable base after a decline, implying a level of support.

stabilizing at a low level

Suggests a period of stability following a decline, without necessarily implying an immediate recovery.

levelling off

Indicates that a decline has ceased, and the level is remaining constant.

touching the nadir

A more formal and technical term for reaching the lowest point, often used in scientific or economic contexts.

reaching rock bottom

Emphasizes the severity and potential consequences of reaching the lowest possible point, often in personal or emotional contexts.

coming to a standstill

Suggests that the decline has completely stopped, with no further movement downwards.

ceasing to decline

A more direct and literal way of saying that a decline has stopped.

arresting the slide

Implies an active effort to stop a decline, rather than simply reaching a natural bottom.

FAQs

How is "bottoming out" used in economics?

In economics, "bottoming out" describes the phase after a period of decline where an economy or market reaches its lowest point and stabilizes, signaling a potential start of recovery. For example, "Economists suggest the housing market is "finding a floor"".

What's the difference between "bottoming out" and "recovering"?

"Bottoming out" indicates the cessation of a decline, while "recovering" means there is an actual upward trend. The former is a necessary precursor to the latter, but does not guarantee it. You can say "The economy is "starting to recover"" once the economy is growing again.

What are some signs that a market is "bottoming out"?

Signs include a slowing rate of decline, stabilization of key indicators, increased trading volume at low prices, and positive news sentiment. These suggest the market is "stabilizing at a low level".

Can "bottoming out" be used in contexts other than economics?

Yes, it can describe any situation where something reaches its lowest point before potentially improving, such as a sports team's performance or a personal crisis. In these cases, you could say something like "The team is "reaching a low point", but is expected to improve".