hit a trough

USAGE SUMMARY

"hit a trough" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe a sudden loss or decline, for example: "The stock price hit a trough this week, dropping 10 percent in just two days."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Tech

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

"I think the past week we hit a trough," one senior administration official said this week.

The New York Times

Wage growth may be picking up again, having hit a trough.

Independent

All three hit a trough in the early 1960's, crested during the first half of the 1980's and have generally been falling since.

The New York Times

While some analysts say UnitedHealth has simply hit a trough in the industry's normal business cycle, others are worried about more fundamental challenges to the insurance business model.

The New York Times

Stocks hit a trough on March 27 , 1980 a little more than a month before the economy started shedding jobs, in May and June.

The New York Times

But the director hit a trough soon afterwards, once telling an interviewer, echoing Hamlet's father, that he was "doomed for a certain term to walk Sunset Boulevard".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

As for movies, after hitting a trough in the late 1990's, the Universal film operation has been riding high recently under Ron Meyer and Stacey Snider.

The New York Times

Muni yields began rising in November, and prices, which move in the opposite direction, fell, hitting a trough on Jan . 14 he said.

The New York Times

After accounting for these differences, the researchers determined that for the average user in each country, positive posts crested around breakfast time, from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.; they fell off gradually until hitting a trough between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., then drifted upward, rising more sharply after dinner.

The New York Times - Science

Seventy-five percent of the world's population will be urban by 2050 and the population in many American cities on both coasts including New York, San Francisco, Seattle and Boston have rebounded over the last three decades after hitting a trough around 1980.

TechCrunch

Around 1980, global cities like San Francisco, New York and London hit a population trough as the middle-class fled for single-family homes in the suburbs, which undermined the tax revenue base for city services.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hit a trough" when describing a temporary low point with the expectation of eventual recovery. Avoid using it for situations where the decline is expected to be permanent.

Common error

Don't use "hit a trough" if the situation is expected to remain at a low level indefinitely. This phrase implies a temporary dip, not a permanent state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hit a trough" functions as an idiomatic expression, typically acting as a verb phrase within a sentence. It describes the action of reaching a low point, often implying a subsequent recovery. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Tech

16%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Science

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hit a trough" is a common idiomatic phrase used to describe reaching a low point, often implying a subsequent recovery. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, particularly in news, business, and tech publications. While the phrase is versatile, it's crucial to ensure its use aligns with the context, as it implies a temporary dip rather than a permanent decline. When looking for alternatives, consider phrases like "reach a low point" or "bottom out". Remember, this phrase suggests that things will get better.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reach a low point

Focuses on reaching a low, without necessarily implying a subsequent rise.

bottom out

Implies reaching the lowest point and preparing for a recovery.

reach rock bottom

Emphasizes the severity and negativity of the low point.

enter a decline

Highlights the beginning of a downward trend.

go into a slump

Refers to a period of poor performance or stagnation.

experience a downturn

Describes a negative shift in economic or business conditions.

fall to a nadir

Emphasizes the extremely low or depressed state.

sink to a low ebb

Evokes the imagery of a tide receding to its lowest point, implying a period of weakness or inactivity.

reach the depths

Suggests encountering the most difficult or challenging part of a situation.

see a recession

Specifically related to economic decline.

FAQs

What does it mean to "hit a trough"?

To "hit a trough" means to reach a low point, often in a cycle, with the expectation that the situation will improve subsequently. It implies a temporary dip rather than a permanent decline.

How can I use "hit a trough" in a sentence?

You can use "hit a trough" to describe various scenarios, such as: "The company's profits "hit a trough" during the recession but are now recovering", or "The athlete's performance "hit a trough" after the injury but is improving with rehabilitation".

What can I say instead of "hit a trough"?

You can use alternatives like "reach a low point", "bottom out", or "experience a downturn depending on the context".

Is it appropriate to use "hit a trough" in formal writing?

Yes, "hit a trough" is suitable for formal writing, especially in business or economic contexts, as it is a recognized and understood idiom for describing a temporary decline.