be at the bottom of something Definition

bottom
noun

1. The lowest position or part.

Thesaurus: foundation, base, support, seat, substructure, pedestal, bed; foot, underside; nadir, depths.
2. The point farthest away from the front, top, most important or most successful part.

Example: the bottom of the garden
Example: bottom of the class
3. The part of the body on which a person sits; the buttocks.

Thesaurus: rear, behind, tail (slang, backside, posterior.
4. The base on which something stands or rests; the foundation.
5. The basic cause or origin.

Example: Let's to get to the bottom of the problem
Form: the bottom
6. The ground (or bed noun 4) underneath a sea, river or lake.
7. The part of a ship which is under the water.
8. The seat of a chair.
9. Solidity of character; importance or influence.
10. Especially applied to a horse: staying power; stamina.
11. The fundamental character or ingredient.

adj

1. Lowest or last.

Example: the bottom rung of the ladder
Example: in bottom place

verb bottomed, bottoming

1. To put a bottom on (a seat or container, etc).
usually intr
2. Said especially of a ship: to reach or touch the bottom.

Idiom: at bottom

In reality; fundamentally.

Idiom: be at the bottom of something

To be the basic cause of it.

Idiom: from the bottom of one's heart

Very sincerely.

Idiom: get to the bottom of something

To discover the real cause of (a mystery or difficulty, etc).

Idiom: the bottom has fallen out of the market

There has been a sudden fall in the market demand (for some commodity or product, etc).

Idiom: touch bottom (hit bottom)

To reach the lowest point, eg in morale or personal circumstances.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon botm.

Phrasal Verb: bottom something on or upon something

To base or ground it on something.

Phrasal Verb: bottom out

Said of prices, etc: to reach and settle at the lowest level, especially before beginning to rise again. US equivalent base out.