hitting a trough

USAGE SUMMARY

"hitting a trough" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
This phrase is used to describe a situation in which there is a sudden decline or downturn in activity, progress, or success. For example, "Although the company started out strong, it began hitting a trough after the economic downturn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

TechCrunch

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 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

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

When the S.& P. hit a trough in March 2009, stock pricing reflected concerns about the economy, with high pricing and low price-earnings ratios.

The New York Times

Brian G. Belski, chief investment strategist at Oppenheimer, added that after periods when dividend payments hit a trough — as they did at the end of 2009 — the broad market has historically rallied.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, be sure to provide context about what is "hitting a trough", making it clear to the reader what is experiencing a low point (e.g., economy, sales, morale).

Common error

Avoid using "hitting a trough" to describe situations that are expected to worsen or remain stagnant. This phrase implies a temporary dip, not a permanent downturn.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hitting a trough" functions as a verbal phrase, often acting as part of a larger clause to describe a process or state of reaching a low point. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and frequently found in various written sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

TechCrunch

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hitting a trough" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to describe a temporary downturn or low point before an expected recovery. Ludwig AI confirms the validity and common usage of this phrase. Predominantly found in news and media outlets, as well as technical contexts like TechCrunch, it effectively communicates a state of decline with an implicit expectation of future improvement. When employing this phrase, ensure to provide context so as to avoid ambiguity and to avoid using it in situations that are expected to worsen or remain stagnant. Alternatives such as "reaching a low point" or "experiencing a downturn" can be used depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bottoming out

Describes the action of reaching the absolute lowest point before a potential recovery.

reaching a low point

Focuses on the attainment of the lowest level, emphasizing arrival at the bottom.

plunging to a nadir

Emphasizes a dramatic and significant fall to the lowest possible level.

experiencing a downturn

Highlights the period of decline or downward trend rather than the specific lowest point.

going through a slump

Implies a period of reduced activity or success, often temporary.

entering a period of decline

Emphasizes the initiation of a downward trend.

in a state of recession

Refers to a general economic downturn and is often applied to broader economic contexts.

seeing a decrease

Simply indicates a reduction or decline, without necessarily implying a lowest point.

facing a setback

Focuses on an obstacle or impediment that causes a temporary halt or reversal in progress.

at a standstill

Suggests a state of inactivity or cessation of progress.

FAQs

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

You can use "hitting a trough" to describe a temporary low point before an expected recovery. For example, "The company's stock price is "bottoming out" after "hitting a low" last month, but analysts predict a rebound soon."

What are some alternatives to "hitting a trough"?

Alternatives include "reaching a low point", "experiencing a downturn", or "going through a slump", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "hit a trough" instead of "hitting a trough"?

Yes, both phrases are grammatically acceptable, but they have slightly different usages. "Hitting a trough" is often used in the present continuous tense to describe an ongoing situation, while "hit a trough" is used in the past tense to describe a completed action.

What does it mean when something is described as "in a trough"?

When something is described as "in a trough", it means that it is at a low point or experiencing a period of decline or difficulty. It suggests a temporary situation before an expected recovery or improvement. It's similar to being "at a standstill".