touch bottom

USAGE SUMMARY

'touch bottom' is a correct phrase in written English and can be used when referring to a situation that has reached its lowest point or level.
For example, "The company's stock price has reached an all-time low; it seems they've finally touched bottom."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

They must stay on rack and not touch bottom.

The New York Times

You jump!" He yelled this time, worried that his boat would wash closer and that his prop might touch bottom.

The New Yorker

Every so often, Maisara warily shimmied down the tree and wiggled her toes beneath the darkness, hoping to touch bottom.

The New York Times

Anglers and rafters can float navigable waters in a boat, but they can't touch bottom — no hopping out to wade, no dropping anchor to heed nature's call.

The New York Times - Travel

You need to touch bottom and have a realization of the limitations of these systems before you can gather the energy to move in a different direction".

The Guardian

A brutal childhood, alcoholism, a London underworld – this is what it's like to touch bottom, then find your way up through the game of chess.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

We have touched bottom".

The New York Times - Sports

Tonight we touched bottom.

The New York Times - Sports

The industry may not be touching bottom any time soon.

The New York Times

Payrolls have increased by more than 700,000 since the first quarter of 2010, when employment touched bottom.

The Economist

But as interest rates have touched bottom, so the refinancing boom has turned to bust.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "touch bottom" to emphasize that a situation has reached its worst possible state and is likely to improve from that point forward. It often carries a connotation of hope for recovery.

Common error

Avoid using "touch bottom" to describe a situation that is continuously deteriorating. The phrase implies that the lowest point has been reached and a turnaround is expected, not ongoing decline.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "touch bottom" functions as an idiomatic expression, often acting as a verbal phrase within a sentence. It describes the act of reaching the lowest possible point in a situation, whether literal or figurative. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "touch bottom" is a commonly used idiomatic phrase that describes reaching the lowest point in a situation. Ludwig AI confirms it's correct. While often associated with negative contexts, it carries an implication of a turning point and potential recovery. It's frequently found in News & Media and other sources. Related phrases include "reach rock bottom" and "hit an all-time low", but "touch bottom" is more versatile when talking about improvement rather than reaching your lowest. Remember to use this phrase when a situation has stabilized at its minimum, suggesting a potential upswing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reach rock bottom

Indicates reaching the lowest possible point, often in a negative situation or personal struggle. It's a widely recognized idiom.

hit the lowest point

A more literal way of expressing the idea of reaching the nadir of a situation or experience.

hit an all-time low

Similar to rock bottom but generally used for values and data, less emotional.

reach the depths

Similar to "reach rock bottom", but can also imply a moral or emotional low point.

be at its nadir

A more formal and technical term for the lowest point, often used in economic or statistical contexts.

sink to the lowest level

Emphasizes the act of declining or falling to a minimum point.

be in the pits

An informal way to describe being in a very bad or depressed state.

come to the end of the line

Implies reaching a point where progress or options are exhausted.

experience the worst

Focuses on the negative experience associated with reaching the lowest point.

get as bad as it could get

A descriptive alternative, emphasizing the finality of reaching the most unfavorable condition.

FAQs

How can I use "touch bottom" in a sentence?

You can use "touch bottom" to describe a situation that has reached its lowest point, such as "The company's stock price had "touched bottom", but analysts predict a rebound soon".

What's a less idiomatic alternative to "touch bottom"?

Alternatives include phrases like "reach the lowest point" or "hit an all-time low", which are more literal but convey a similar meaning.

Is it always negative to "touch bottom"?

While often used in negative contexts, "touch bottom" can also imply a turning point, suggesting that things can only improve from there. It often carries a connotation of hope or resilience.

Which is more common, "touch bottom" or "reach rock bottom"?

Both "touch bottom" and "reach rock bottom" are relatively common, but "reach rock bottom" is arguably more frequently used, particularly when describing personal struggles or crises.