get to the bottom of things

USAGE SUMMARY

'get to the bottom of things' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is a phrase that means to investigate an issue or situation in order to find out the truth or the cause, so it can be used in a range of contexts. For example: "The whole team was determined to get to the bottom of things and find out why the project had failed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"He wanted to get to the bottom of things".

The New York Times

But in this story, Francis is resolutely determined to get to the bottom of things.

The New Yorker

There is something almost autistic about Mr. Morris's need to get to the bottom of things.

The New York Times - Books

Grumpy but grateful for the distraction, Easy determines to get to the bottom of things.

The New York Times - Books

"They're trying to do the right thing now, trying to get to the bottom of things".

The New York Times

By letting yourself go you somehow get to the bottom of things".

The Guardian

Sir Alred is determined to get to the bottom of things.

The New York Times - Books

That's another piece of advice: sit down and get to the bottom of things.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mr. D'Amato said that he expects Mr. Zarb to get to the bottom of things.

The New York Times

"I found I liked to get to the bottom of things," he recalled.

The New Yorker

"The U.S. attorney's office is working, and we expect they will get to the bottom of things".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "get to the bottom of things", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific issue or situation you are investigating. This adds clarity and focus to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "get to the bottom of things" when a simple explanation suffices. Overusing this phrase for trivial matters can make your writing sound unnecessarily dramatic or complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get to the bottom of things" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. It signifies the act of conducting a thorough investigation to uncover the underlying truth or cause of a matter. Ludwig confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "get to the bottom of things" is a frequently used idiomatic expression that signifies a thorough investigation to uncover the truth. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts, predominantly in News & Media. While grammatically sound, it's best suited for neutral to informal settings. When writing, ensure the context is well-defined and avoid overuse in trivial situations. Alternative phrases like "uncover the truth" or "investigate thoroughly" may provide a more formal tone if needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uncover the truth

Focuses specifically on revealing hidden facts or information.

find out the cause

Emphasizes the discovery of the reason or origin of something.

investigate thoroughly

Highlights the comprehensive nature of the inquiry.

delve into the matter

Suggests a deeper, more intensive examination.

look into the details

Focuses on scrutinizing specific aspects of a situation.

determine the facts

Emphasizes establishing verifiable information.

ascertain the truth

Highlights the process of confirming the accuracy of something.

resolve the issue

Focuses on solving a problem by understanding its underlying causes.

analyze the situation

Emphasizes a systematic and detailed evaluation.

explore the issue

Suggests a broad and open-minded investigation.

FAQs

How can I use "get to the bottom of things" in a sentence?

You can use "get to the bottom of things" to describe an investigation or thorough examination, such as: "The detective was determined to get to the bottom of things before closing the case."

What is a more formal way to say "get to the bottom of things"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "investigate thoroughly" or "determine the facts"/s/determine+the+facts to convey a similar meaning with a higher degree of formality.

Is "getting to the bottom of things" grammatically correct?

Yes, "getting to the bottom of things" is the gerund form of the phrase and is grammatically correct. You can use it as a noun in a sentence, for example: "Getting to the bottom of things required a lot of research."

What's the difference between "get to the bottom of things" and "scratch the surface"?

"Get to the bottom of things" implies a thorough investigation, while "scratch the surface" suggests only a superficial examination. They are essentially antonyms in this context.