rock bottom

¹ American  

noun

1. the very lowest level.

   He went bankrupt and touched rock bottom.

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rock-bottom ² American  

[rok-bot-uhm] / ˈrɒkˈbɒt əm /

adjective

1. at the lowest possible limit or level; extremely low.

   rock-bottom prices.

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rock bottom British  

noun

1. 1. the lowest possible level

   2. ( as modifier )

      rock-bottom prices

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rock bottom Idioms  

1. The lowest possible level, absolute bottom, as in Wheat prices have reached rock bottom. This idiom alludes to the presence of bedrock that prevents digging farther down. [Late 1800s]

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Etymology

Origin of rock bottom¹

An Americanism dating back to 1865–70

Origin of rock-bottom¹

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner says she "leaned into" playing a corporate worker who is at "rock bottom" in new Amazon Prime Video heist drama Steal.

From BBC

In terms of motivation, Scottish party insiders describe a party that has been rebuilt from rock bottom since Sarwar took over in 2021 with the sole purpose of fighting the coming election.

From BBC

She hit rock bottom in the mid 1980s.

From BBC

A third consecutive defeat in as many outings ensured that they finished rock bottom of Group F, below heavyweights Ivory Coast and Cameroon, but also Mozambique.

From Barron's

Or perhaps his reputation is already at rock bottom and this will only reinforce existing negative impressions.

From BBC

Related Words

• nadir