touch bottom

touch (rock) bottom

To reach the lowest or worst point of a decline. Primarily heard in UK. I knew I had touched rock bottom when I missed my son's birthday party because I was so hungover. That's when I knew I needed to get help. Prices have been falling for weeks during the crash, but the economy has finally touched bottom.
See also: bottom, touch
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

touch bottom

Reach the lowest point, as in During the recession the economists kept saying that we hadn't touched bottom yet. This metaphor for reaching the ground under a body of water has been used since the mid-1800s.
See also: bottom, touch
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

touch bottom

1 reach the bottom of water with your feet. 2 be at the lowest or worst point. 3 be in possession of the full facts. British
See also: bottom, touch
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

touch ˈbottom


1 reach the ground at the bottom of an area of water
2 (British English) reach the worst possible state or condition: Her career really touched bottom with that movie.
See also: bottom, touch
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • touch (rock) bottom
  • hit rock bottom
  • hit/reach rock bottom
  • reach (rock) bottom
  • hit bottom
  • be a chapter of accidents
  • HBD
  • a chapter of accidents
  • happy birthday
  • wearing
References in periodicals archive
Cast, let the jig touch bottom, and twitch your rodtip lightly.
DOWNRIGHT DEPENDABLE
These were ignored as she began swimming along the edge of the ice, hoping, I guess, to find a place where she could touch bottom enough to give herself a boost.
Buy that dog a burger! recounting the most memorable days afield
"Swim in water where you're able to touch bottom if a rest is needed.
Six heart-healthy exercise tips for home and travel
"I can touch bottom," said Annabelle, and threw up her arms.
The case against Allen Creech (Exhibits A-F)
"We tell people to touch bottom just now and then," he says.
PIKE IN LIMBO
The behaviors low ten and touch bottom resulted in an agreement below the suggested criteria, leading to their deletion from the coding scheme.
Exploring nonverbal behavior in elite handball players: development of the Handball Post-Shot Behavior Coding Scheme (H-PSB-CS)
Looking to specific lines, the COO says primary workers' compensation rate continue to move up and excess workers' comp "has touch bottom and is showing early signs of improvement." Primary public and private D&O rates are up but it depends on an insurer's place in the risk tower.
Berkley: Despite Brokers' Drum Beat to Muffle Increases, More Rate to Come
If the point doesn't touch bottom, the sprocket's OK.
Track wear info
The water's probably a metre deep, so the little tyke couldn't touch bottom anywhere.
Achieving hero status is a walk in the park after dog takes a dip; Columnist
Half way across the Menai I touch bottom with my paddle.
EXTRACTS FROM TARAN TYLA'S BLOG DIARY..
But when Andrew could not touch bottom he began to struggle.
SpongeBob inspired 8-yr-old US boy to save drowning neighbour
"Once we touch bottom, we will have a vigorous economic growth of 3% in 2010," said the finance secretary.
NEW PROJECTIONS FORESEE CONTRACTION OF 7% OR MORE IN MEXICAN ECONOMY IN 2009
Given that the global new vehicle market has yet to touch bottom, Toyota's targets could deviate downward, the sources said.
LEAD: Toyota's global output for FY 2009 likely to fall 10% to 6.3 mil. units
By trimming up you avoid having your skeg and prop touch bottom because as you slow the stern squats, making it vulnerable.
Do you know jack? A jack plate can help your boat achieve maximum performance