hitting a low

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hitting a low" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something has reached a low point, often in terms of performance, mood, or circumstances. Example: "After several setbacks, the team felt like they were hitting a low in their season."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The number has fallen steadily since then, hitting a low of 1,447,000 in 2001.

The New York Times

Since hitting a low in September, the Seoul market's benchmark index has risen 50percentt.

The New York Times

Merkel's personality ratings have risen again after hitting a low at the start of the year.

The Guardian

They have more than quintupled since hitting a low of $1.07 in August.

The New York Times

After hitting a low of $0.82 last October, the euro had gained 16% by January.

The Economist

But the shares then went into a free fall, hitting a low of $29.125 earlier this month before rebounding.

The New York Times

Sales of private jets have been showing gains each month since hitting a low point in July.

The Guardian - Business

Shares of PartyGaming also slid in mid-July on heavy volume, hitting a low of 85.25 pence on July 18.

The New York Times - Tech

The Dow has rebounded more than 1,200 points since hitting a low of 7,702.34 on July 23.

The New York Times

The number of bills fell back quickly, hitting a low point of just 13 bills in 2009.

The Guardian

But that figure has improved to 82 percent since hitting a low of 79 percent in 2010.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hitting a low", ensure the context clearly indicates what is experiencing the decline. Be specific about the subject and the area in which it's declining (e.g., "The company's stock price is hitting a low due to poor earnings.").

Common error

Don't use "hitting a low" without providing context. Saying something is "hitting a low" without specifying what is declining or why can leave your audience confused. Always clarify the subject and the circumstances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hitting a low" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the action of reaching a low point or unfavorable state. It often describes a decline or reduction in something, such as morale, stock prices, or performance as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hitting a low" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that signifies reaching a low point or unfavorable state. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread usage. It's commonly found in news and media contexts, as well as in formal business discussions, serving to communicate a decline or reduction in something specific. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the subject and circumstances, avoiding vagueness to maintain effective communication. Consider alternatives like "reaching a low point" or "reaching rock bottom" based on the context. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it versatile across various settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reaching a low point

Substitutes "hitting" with "reaching" and adds "point" for clarity, indicating the lowest level.

touching a low

Replaces "hitting" with "touching", conveying reaching a low point without necessarily implying a strong impact.

sinking to a low

Employs "sinking" to convey a downward trajectory culminating in a low state.

declining to a low

Uses "declining" to indicate a gradual decrease leading to a low level.

reaching a nadir

Replaces "hitting" with "reaching" and "low" with its synonym "nadir", emphasizing the lowest point.

plummeting to a low

Emphasizes a rapid decline using "plummeting" to reach a low state.

bottoming out

Replaces the entire phrase with the idiom "bottoming out", suggesting reaching the lowest possible point before a potential recovery.

reaching rock bottom

Replaces "hitting a low" with a more emphatic idiom, "reaching rock bottom", suggesting the absolute lowest point.

falling to a low ebb

Employs the metaphor "low ebb" to describe a period of decline or weakness.

experiencing a trough

Uses "trough", a term referring to a low point in a cycle, replacing "low" with a more technical term.

FAQs

What does "hitting a low" mean?

"Hitting a low" means reaching a particularly unfavorable or reduced state. It typically implies a decline from a previous, more positive position.

How can I use "hitting a low" in a sentence?

You can use "hitting a low" to describe various scenarios, such as "The team's morale is "hitting a low" after the recent defeat", or "The economy is "hitting a low" due to the global recession".

What can I say instead of "hitting a low"?

Alternatives include "reaching a low point", "experiencing a trough", or "reaching rock bottom", depending on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is it grammatically correct to say "hitting a low"?

Yes, "hitting a low" is a grammatically sound and commonly accepted phrase in English. It is used to describe a situation or entity experiencing a decline or reaching its lowest point.