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Synonyms

get to the bottom of

Idioms  

  1. Find the basic underlying quality or cause of something. For example, He was determined to get to the bottom of the problem. [Late 1700s] Also see at bottom.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It allows leagues to say: “We handed this off to an independent authority with real investigative power. They will get to the bottom of it.”

From MarketWatch • Mar. 18, 2026

“We are investigating State Farm’s behavior after the Southern California wildfires to get to the bottom of complaints that they are unfairly delaying or denying survivors’ claims,” he wrote to The Times.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2026

And he’s still trying to get to the bottom of it!

From Slate • Feb. 19, 2026

Her brother, Zak White, tells BBC Newsbeat: "I don't think we're ever going to get to the bottom of what happened and get a fair punishment."

From BBC • Feb. 13, 2026

“We all want to get to the bottom of this, Starr. We appreciate your cooperation. I understand this is hard right now.”

From "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.