foot of the table

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'foot of the table' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
This phrase is used to refer to the lower end of a table, usually where the legs of the table are located. For example, "The vase was knocked off the table and shattered at the foot of the table."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Burnley remain at the foot of the table.

The Guardian - Sport

Phoenix remains at the foot of the table.

The Economist

Instead, it is the clubs at the foot of the table who are stirring.

The Guardian - Sport

This isn't to say they'll plummet to the foot of the table.

The Guardian - Sport

Nigeria and Iran also jostle at the foot of the table.

The Economist

Either way the task of climbing away from the foot of the table looks a thankless one.

The Guardian - Sport

Despite being 12 points adrift at the foot of the table, I feel we're in a good place.

The Guardian - Sport

Sharp added the third from a corner three minutes later and Shrewsbury slumped to the foot of the table.

The Guardian - Sport

They remain five docked points adrift of Sale at the foot of the table with only three games to go.

The Guardian - Sport

Tel Aviv, Tehran and Karachi are anchored to the foot of the table, and barely trouble the scorer.

The Guardian - Opinion

Pulis' side are in desperate need of the three points that will lift them off the foot of the table.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing sports standings or rankings, use "foot of the table" to clearly indicate the lowest position. This phrase is easily understood and widely accepted.

Common error

Avoid using "foot of the table" in contexts where a literal table is present but the intent is to describe something else. The phrase is typically used metaphorically to describe a position in a ranking.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foot of the table" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating a specific location or position in relation to a ranked list or table. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "foot of the table" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase to describe the lowest position in a ranking or league, especially in sports contexts. Ludwig AI validates its appropriateness in written English, and its frequent use in reputable news sources such as The Guardian, BBC, and The Economist suggests a neutral register. While alternatives like "bottom of the league" or "in last place" exist, "foot of the table" offers a clear and widely understood way to convey this meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bottom of the league

Replaces "table" with "league", specifying a sports context.

in last place

A common idiom for being at the bottom.

at the very bottom

Emphasizes the lowest position with "very".

at the base of the standings

More formal language for the lowest position in standings.

lowest rank

Uses a more general term for position.

cellar dweller

An informal term for a team at the bottom of a league.

rock bottom

Figuratively indicates the worst possible position.

struggling at the bottom

Highlights the difficulty of being in the lowest position.

tail end

Refers to the final part of a series or list.

lagging behind

Focuses on the act of being behind others.

FAQs

How is "foot of the table" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "foot of the table" is typically used to describe the lowest position in a ranking or league. For example: "After the loss, the team found themselves at the "foot of the table"".

What are some alternatives to saying "foot of the table"?

You can use alternatives such as "bottom of the league", "in last place", or "lowest rank" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "at the foot of the table"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase "at the foot of the table" is commonly used and widely accepted in English to describe the lowest position in a ranking or league.

What does it mean when a team is "at the foot of the table"?

When a team is "at the foot of the table", it means they are in last place or have the worst record in a league or competition.