ebb

at (something's) lowest ebb

In a state of decline; less or lower than the typical standard or expectation. The charity struggled to help those in need, as outside donations were at their lowest ebb in years.
See also: ebb, low

at a low ebb

At a low point, like the receding tide. Please don't give me any more bad news—I'm already at a low ebb. Interest in the local soccer team is really at a low ebb, thanks to all those losing seasons.
See also: ebb, low

ebb and flow

1. verb To consistently increase and decrease. I wouldn't worry too much about losing money this quarter because we'll earn it back later in the year. That's just how business ebbs and flows.
2. noun A period of consistent increase and decrease. I wouldn't worry too much because we always lose money this quarter and then earn it back later in the year. It's just the natural ebb and flow of business.
See also: and, ebb, flow

ebb away

To recede or move away. The floodwaters are finally beginning to ebb away, thank goodness. After being stuck in bed for weeks, I'm very relieved that my illness is ebbing away.
See also: away, ebb

every flow has its ebb

proverb All periods good fortune must be followed eventually by periods of ill fortune, and vice versa. ("Ebb" and "flow" are typically used in reference to the tide: "flow" for the rising of the tide and "ebb" for its receding.) I try not to get overly excited when things are going well because I know that every flow has its ebb—that's just how the universe works. Any businessperson worth their salt knows that every flow has its ebb, so they should try to save money prudently during periods of success.
See also: ebb, every, flow

every flow must have its ebb

proverb All periods of good fortune are followed eventually by periods of ill fortune, and vice versa. ("Ebb" and "flow" are typically used in reference to the tide: "flow" for the rising of the tide and "ebb" for its receding.) I try not to get overly excited when things are going well because I know that every flow must have its ebb—that's just how the universe works. Any businessperson worth their salt knows that every flow must have its ebb, so they should try to save money prudently during periods of success.
See also: ebb, every, flow, have, must

low ebb

A state of decline. The economy is at a low ebb with no hope of recovery in the near future.
See also: ebb, low
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

ebb and flow

to decrease and then increase, as with tides; a decrease followed by an increase, as with tides. The fortunes of the major political parties tend to ebb and flow over time. The ebb and flow of democracy through history is a fascinating subject.
See also: and, ebb, flow

ebb away

to recede; to subside; to flow back. His life ebbed away little by little. As the sunlight ebbed away, the sky took on a grayish color.
See also: away, ebb
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

at a low ebb

At a low point, in a state of decline or depression. For example, The current recession has put our business at a low ebb. This idiom transfers the low point of a tide to a decline in human affairs. [Mid-1600s]
See also: ebb, low

ebb and flow

A decline and increase, constant fluctuations. For example, He was fascinated by the ebb and flow of the Church's influence over the centuries. This expression alludes to the inward and outward movement of ocean tides. [Late 1500s]
See also: and, ebb, flow
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

at a low ebb

COMMON
1. If something is at a low ebb, it is failing and at a low level. Confidence in the whole project was at a low ebb. By now, the company's finances were at a low ebb. Note: You can also say that something is at its lowest ebb. Their reputation was at its lowest ebb.
2. If someone is at a low ebb, they are depressed. When I have been at a low ebb I have found the friendship and love of my fellow churchgoers to be a great comfort. Note: You can also say that someone is at their lowest ebb. I was mentally at my lowest ebb. Note: The ebb tide is one of the regular periods, usually two per day, when the sea gradually falls to a lower level, as the tide moves away from the land.
See also: ebb, low

ebb and flow

COMMON The ebb and flow of something is the way that it continuously changes, especially in its amount or level. The advantage to the employer is flexibility to cope with the commercial ebb and flow. The vineyards are tucked into small clearings formed by the natural ebb and flow of the hills and the trees. Note: Ebb and flow is also used as a verb meaning to change continuously, especially in amount or level. During those thirty years the fortunes of the British film industry ebbed and flowed. Note: This expression comes from the idea of the tide ebbing and flowing (= going in and out).
See also: and, ebb, flow
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

at a low ebb

in an especially poor state.
See also: ebb, low

ebb and flow

a recurrent or rhythmical pattern of coming and going or decline and regrowth.
This expression makes reference to the regular movement of the tides, where ebb means move away from the land and flow move back towards it.
See also: and, ebb, flow
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

the ˌebb and ˈflow (of somebody/something)

the repeated, often regular, movement from one state to another; the repeated change in level, numbers or amount: the ebb and flow of money/seasons She sat quietly, enjoying the ebb and flow of conversation.
This expression refers to the movement of the sea away from and towards the land.
See also: and, ebb, flow

(at) a low ˈebb

not as good, strong, successful, etc. as usual: Business confidence is at a low ebb at the moment. Our family fortunes are at a bit of a low ebb. OPPOSITE: (on) the crest of a wave
This idiom refers to a very low tide, when the sea is a long way from the land.
See also: ebb, low
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • at (something's) lowest ebb
  • on the downgrade
  • charity mugger
  • mugger
  • on the cuff
  • measure up
  • measure up (to someone or something)
  • bring (something) within a/the range
  • bring within a range
  • beyond belief
References in periodicals archive
Five years before publishing Aurora Leigh, however, EBB began to explore and experiment with spiritualism, which provided her with the vocabulary necessary for conceptualizing a shared, collaborative poetic voice.
Revising Respiration: Mesmerism, Spiritualism, and the Shared Breath of Poetic Voice in Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Aurora Leigh
The pooled OR of EBUS-TBNA + TBLB + EBB versus TBLB + EBB was 5.91 (95% CI , 1.72–20.37, P = 0.005) [Figure 5]c.
Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration versus Standard Bronchoscopic Modalities for Diagnosis of Sarcoidosis: A Meta-analysis
"It's a very full menu of Kander and Ebb delights," says Galati, "chock full of tunes, dances, comic patter songs, waltzes--even a one-legged tango."
Arlington, Va: watch out for that Claire
Collectively exchanging the concept (or "being") of an established ground--the static surface upon which paint ebbs, flows, and dries--for an inconstant "becoming," the works selected for "Ebb & Flow" take a fittingly heterogeneous approach when exploring relations among motion, finality, and immobilization.
"Ebb & Flow"
Ovigerous females swam vertically on ebb tides during both day and night throughout embryo development and remained on the bottom during flood fide.
The circatidal rhythm in vertical swimming of female blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus, during their spawning migration: a reconsideration
It is moving and interesting to see, for the first time so clearly, the courtship correspondence breaking into the ongoing context of EBB's letter writing, her letters to Mitford, Horne, Kenyon, and others.
The Brownings' Correspondence
Now the Commerce Department is offering EBB Fax, a 900-line telephone service that wil make much of the EBB information available by fax.
Economic Bulletin Board expands services
On the EBB, I leafed through the Daily Treasury Statement, which provides up-to-date numbers on the U.S.
Byting the hand that feeds them: information vendors are robbing the government blind
Once again, publication of a new volume of The Brownings' Correspondence (Winfield, Kan.: Wedgestone, 2017) constituted a huge boon to EBB studies in the past year.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
The managers of the EBB program were already in the process of providing grants to some 2,000 homeowners who were chosen in a lottery for the grants when it was decided to also give out grants to those on the waiting list.
Another 2K California Homeowners Eligible for Retrofit Grants
Thus, we defined this special EEG pattern as extreme beta brush (EBB), which comprised bursts of a faster, low-amplitude beta (20-30 Hz) frequency range that was superimposed on moderate-amplitude theta (4-7 Hz) or delta (1-3 Hz) frequency waves.
A Special Electroencephalography Pattern Might Help in the Diagnosis of Antibody-positive Encephalitis
The European Biodiesel Board (EBB) was hoping to see the Commission set new duties on 10 August under an anti-subsidy procedure to compensate for the level of duties applied in May, which is far too low, according to the EBB.
EU/ARGENTINA/INDONESIA : MEASURES TO STEM BIODIESEL IMPORTS FALL SHORT, SAYS EBB
The executive launched an anti-dumping investigation in August 2012 after receiving a formal complaint from the European Biodiesel Board (EBB) in July.
PROVISIONAL AD MEASURES ON ARGENTINE BIOFUELS
This time, Norway is in OLAF's sights, reports the European Biodiesel Board (EBB) in a statement dated 7 September.
BIOFUELS : OLAF INVESTIGATES NEW CASE OF FRAUDULENT IMPORT OF US BIODIESEL