bump along the bottom

bump along the bottom

To be in poor condition and show no improvement. Typically used to describe economic issues. Without major changes, the economy will still be bumping along the bottom for many years to come.
See also: bottom, bump
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • be bumping along the bottom
  • dikey
  • dykey
  • chilly climate
  • Who wears the trousers?
  • describe (someone or something) to (someone)
  • describe to
References in periodicals archive
If you look at the polls Nick Clegg and his Lib Dems seem stuffed as they bump along the bottom.
Parking up right tree; Nick's knack for polling victory
The study by PwC and the Local Data Company paints a stark picture of the state of Britain's high streets as the economy continues to bump along the bottom.
UK multiple retailers closed 20 stores a day in 2012
Chamber president David Horsman said: "The economy in our region continues to bump along the bottom with very little sign of any gathering momentum or sustained recovery in any of the important economic indicators.
Urgent action needed, says chamber report
"Prices continue to bump along the bottom and could start to rise, especially if buyers remain active and fewer sellers enter the market," Trisha McCarthy, president of the Realtors group, said in a news release.
Mass. home sales hit 2-year high; Median price in Worcester County falls
BOLD action from the Government is needed to deliver growth or the economy will bump along the bottom for longer than expected, a leading business group has warned.
Growth slowing, say firms
"If the market continues to bump along the bottom then it may not sustain the business plan," he admits.
New flight plan for airport boss
We then seemed to bump along the bottom of the well before things started picking up, only for business to find it increasingly difficult to source finance from the banks to aid their recovery.
There must be greater and faster access to lending
The old reliable knocker rig allows the weight to bump along the bottom and the bait to remain slightly suspended.
Red alert
BANK of England Governor Mervyn King said the ailing UK economy continues to "bump along the bottom", although he held out hopes for a "gradual recovery" in output.
Governor says UK economy is 'bumping along the bottom'
Nor will a technical end to recession mean much, if it just means that we bump along the bottom without creating jobs."
Job creation is key; Inbrief
But there are other signs that indicate the economy will continue to bump along the bottom for months, particularly in the manufacturing sector, even after the recession is proclaimed officially over by the economists.
It's time to think post-recession. (Straight Talk)
It concludes there is a group of 500,000 "forgotten families" who "bump along the bottom", who do not feel they have a stake in society and are unable to change their lives.
Riot report highlights help needed; Views of the North
"While another setback cannot be ruled out, the more likely outcome is that the economy will bump along the bottom for a little while before starting a fragile recovery driven by higher exports, renewed investment in working capital, and a slightly stronger pattern of domestic consumption.
CBI says firms face tough 2010
"While another setback cannot be ruled out, the more likely outcome is that the economy will bump along the bottom for a little while before starting a fragile recovery driven by higher exports, renewed investment in working capital and a slightly stronger pattern of domestic consumption." While there may be "rumblings" in the public sector if a new Government embarks on a spending squeeze, Mr Lambert said the private sector could see "the start of better times".
CBI sees year of opportunities ahead rising out of the ashes of grim recession