What are the definitions of “bottom out”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Pass the lowest point and start rising.
The recession BOTTOMED OUT and the economy is recovering well.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “bottom out”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb bottom out is to reach the lowest point and then start to improve or rise. It is often used to describe situations in which something has reached its lowest point and is now beginning to recover or improve.
What are the different verb forms of “bottom out”?
| Root Verb | bottom out |
| Third Person Singular Present | bottoms out |
| Present Participle | bottoming out |
| Simple Past | bottomed out |
| Past Participle | bottomed out |
Example
The stock market bottomed out last month, and now it's slowly recovering.
Example
The price of the product usually bottoms out during the holiday season.
Example
The economy is bottoming out, and we can expect growth soon.
Example
The company's sales bottomed out last year, but they have since rebounded.
Example
The housing market had bottomed out before it started to improve.
What kind of phrasal verb is “bottom out”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Intransitive verb
“bottom out” is an intransitive phrasal verb because it doesn't require an object to complete its meaning. It forms a complete sentence without an object.
Example
The economy bottomed out last quarter.
Example
The car's value bottomed out after five years.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“bottom out” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
The economy bottomed out last quarter.
Example
The car's value bottomed out after five years.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “bottom out”?
Bottom out in a company's performance
Refers to the lowest point reached in a company's performance before it starts to improve.
Example
The company's profits bottomed out in the third quarter, but they have since rebounded.
Good things to know
Does “bottom out” have an informal or formal tone?
Bottom out is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is commonly used in everyday conversations, as well as in more formal settings, such as business discussions or news reports.
