low-water mark
Americannoun
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the lowest point reached by a low tide.
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something indicating the bottom of a decline.
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the lowest or least admirable level.
the low-water mark of political chicanery.
noun
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the level reached by seawater at low tide or by other stretches of water at their lowest level
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the lowest point or level; nadir
Etymology
Origin of low-water mark
First recorded in 1520–30
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.
Nine months ago, the Weeknd used a professional high point to herald what may end up the low-water mark of his career.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 30, 2023
The 2002 team under Dick LeBeau went 2-14 to set the low-water mark.
From Seattle Times • Dec. 23, 2019
Trump’s attorney, Walter Butler, contested the charges in nine separate appearances at the Coney Island Magistrate’s Court, citing case law suggesting that city land ownership ended at the low-water mark.
From The New Yorker • Sep. 18, 2019
Photograph: Andrew Fosker/Rex Features The tide turned on the third day at Ahmedabad, though the change was so slight it is impossible to spot quite where the low-water mark lay.
From The Guardian • Dec. 18, 2012
It was low-water mark wi' the king's people, and Mr Stuart accompanied him; and need I tell ye, that so did Flora.
From Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland Volume 14 by Various
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.
