hit a trough of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hit a trough of" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is typically used to describe a feeling or experience that is a low point. For example, you could say, "After months of hard work, I finally hit a trough of exhaustion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Since March , 2010 when manufacturing employment in the U.S. hit a trough of 11.45 million jobs, nearly a million new factory positions have been created, most of them in the Southern states, particularly North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

The New Yorker

In the peak days after the May 15 launch, traffic soared to around 2.8 million daily visitors but then hit a trough of 200,000 in July, according to the company.

MIT Technology Review

The video game industry is highly unusual in that every three or four years, in sync with new consoles, publishers hit a trough of earnings but one historically followed by a boom.

The New York Times - Tech

U.S. sales will hit a trough of around 15.1 million in 2020.

TechCrunch

The forecast called for more rain and mountain snow on Sunday and Monday due to unstable air as rising, sun-warmed currents hit a trough of cooler air.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

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

In a note to investors, Andrew Griffin, an analyst at Merrill Lynch, said he upgraded his ratings on chip stocks because of "industry fundamentals suggesting that global demand has hit a trough and global supply is stabilizing after strong growth".

The New York Times

"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

The generic wave peaked in Q1 2013 and hit a trough in Q1 2014.

Forbes

Manheim reported that the market has rallied 68% since hitting a trough in 2009.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hit a trough of" when describing a significant decline or low point in a measurable quantity, such as sales figures or emotional states. For example, "The company hit a trough of sales during the recession."

Common error

Avoid using "hit a trough of" to describe a positive experience or achievement. This phrase implies a downturn or low point, not an accomplishment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hit a trough of" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the attainment of a low point or minimum value. Ludwig examples show its usage in describing declines in metrics such as employment or sales.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hit a trough of" is a verbal phrase used to describe reaching a low point, often in a measurable quantity. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts and carries a neutral tone, making it suitable for various writing styles. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a decline or a minimum value, and consider alternatives like "reach a low point of" for variety. Avoid using it in positive contexts. The infrequency of the phrase suggests that alternative ways to express the same concept are much more popular.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reach a low point of

This alternative focuses on the action of arriving at a low level, emphasizing the finality of the arrival.

experience a nadir of

Replaces "hit" with "experience" and "trough" with "nadir", which is a more formal term for the lowest point.

fall to a low level of

Replaces "hit a trough" with "fall to a low level", highlighting the action of descending to a negative point.

sink to a low ebb of

Uses "sink to a low ebb" which is an idiomatic expression meaning to decline or weaken.

reach the bottom of

This alternative focuses on reaching the lowest possible point, indicating a point where things cannot get worse.

plummet to a low of

Uses "plummet", suggesting a rapid and significant decline.

decline to a minimum of

Focuses on the "decline" aspect leading to a minimum, making it suitable for describing trends.

drop to a low degree of

Replaces "trough" with a more descriptive "low degree", useful when describing abstract qualities.

descend to a low state of

This alternative uses "descend" and "low state" to emphasize a downward trajectory and a negative condition.

slump to a low amount of

Uses "slump" to describe a sudden decline in something, such as economic activity or performance.

FAQs

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

You can use "hit a trough of" to describe reaching a low point or experiencing a decline, as in "The company "hit a trough of" sales during the economic crisis".

What's a good alternative to "hit a trough of"?

Alternatives include phrases like "reach a low point of", "experience a nadir of", or "fall to a low level of", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "hit a trough of"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that something has reached its lowest point, often after a period of decline or struggle. For example, "The stock price "hit a trough of" $5 per share".

Is "hit a trough of" formal or informal?

The phrase ""hit a trough of"" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives exist.