rank bottom

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rank bottom" is correct and usable in written English.
The phrase is typically used to describe a person or entity that performs or ranks the worst when compared to a given population. For example, "On the exam, Sally's score ranked bottom of the class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

If they were independent countries, some of Nigeria's northern states would rank bottom globally in terms of development, even though the country is the seventh-biggest oil producer in OPEC.

The Economist

While members of this cluster could be separated quite well from non-binders in receptor conformers displaying the right arrangement of the binding cavity, these 20 molecules were dumped at the rank bottom in all the other pocket variants.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Greece was ranked bottom, just ahead of Italy and Ireland.

The Guardian

Ravaged by war and disease, DRC ranks bottom of the UN's human development index.

The Guardian

In the rich-country OECD club, Turkey ranks bottom on both scores.

The Economist

Gloucester ranks bottom with mortgages at £939, 52% of the median wage figure.

Independent

The issue is of huge significance to the country, which ranks bottom of the UN's human development index.

The Guardian

The DRC has gone backwards since independence and, out of 187 countries, ranked bottom in the 2011 Human Development Index.

The Guardian

It might be best to avoid "If you were a burger you'd be a McGorgeous", which ranked bottom.

Independent

At the other end of the table, Somalia ranks bottom with a score of 1.1, ahead of Afghanistan and Myanmar.

The Economist

The 2014 Commonwealth Fund report on 11 wealthy countries shows that the UK spends least but ranks first in healthcare performance; the US spends most but ranks bottom.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rank bottom", ensure the context clearly defines the criteria for ranking to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The team ranked bottom in terms of customer satisfaction scores."

Common error

Avoid using "rank bottom" without specifying what is being ranked. Saying "They rank bottom" is vague. Instead, specify: "They rank bottom in sales performance."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rank bottom" functions as a verb phrase indicating the lowest position in a hierarchy or list. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and indicates it is used to describe entities performing the worst compared to a population.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rank bottom" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote the lowest position in a ranking or hierarchy. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and indicates common usage across news, scientific, and formal contexts. When using this phrase, it's crucial to provide context to specify the criteria for the ranking. While "rank bottom" generally carries a negative connotation, it serves as an objective way to describe a position. Alternatives include phrases like "be at the bottom" or "finish last", depending on the context you would like to describe.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be at the bottom

Focuses on the position rather than the ranking process.

hold the lowest rank

Focuses on the rank rather than the relative position.

finish last

Specifically refers to being the last in a competition or sequence.

come in last place

Similar to "finish last" but emphasizes the final position.

place last

Focuses on the act of placing or ordering at the end of the list.

be the worst

General term indicating the lowest quality or performance.

score the lowest

Specifically refers to achieving the lowest score or points.

trail behind

Indicates being significantly behind others in performance or position.

sit at the foot

Emphasizes the lowest part of a hierarchy or list.

occupy the lowest position

Formal and emphasizes the position held.

FAQs

How do I use "rank bottom" in a sentence?

You can use "rank bottom" to indicate the lowest position in a list or hierarchy. For instance, "The country "ranks bottom" in education spending" or "Our team "ranks bottom" in customer satisfaction this quarter".

What are some alternatives to saying "rank bottom"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "be at the bottom", "finish last", or "score the lowest". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it always negative to "rank bottom"?

Generally, ranking bottom implies a negative connotation, indicating the worst performance or position. However, depending on the context, it could simply be a neutral observation. For example, in some specific contexts, it could imply something unexpected, as "the US spends most but ranks bottom".

What does it mean when something "ranks bottom" in a particular index?

It signifies that, compared to others evaluated in that index, it performs the worst or occupies the lowest position. This could be in terms of development, equality, or any other metric used by the index. This may indicate where changes need to be implemented, especially if there are indicators with surprising, unexpected, or ironic results such as "the UK spends least but ranks first".