Phrase guide

bottom of the hour

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

The time at (or very close to) half the next hour of time.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • At seven o'clock, he said to get in touch with him again at the bottom of the hour, so I called him back at seven thirty.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Refers to the time when the position of the long hand is pointing toward the number 6, or exactly halfway between the preceding hour and the upcoming one.