Phrase guide

rock bottom

noun · 3 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 very lowest possible level.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, uncountable

Examples

  • Pork belly futures have hit rock bottom.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

The lowest possible state in one’s life, whether mentally, socially, or otherwise; often, a period of extreme mental stress, homelessness, or rejection by all friends and family.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, uncountable

Examples

  • Some people believe that mental illnesses can't be treated unless the person hits rock bottom first.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

the absolute bottom

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: bottom

History

Etymology

Derives from the substratum of the seafloor, which is situated below the sand.

Across languages

Translations

18 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: най-ниско ниво (naj-nisko nivo) — the very lowest possible level
  • Bulgarian: дъно (dǎno) — the very lowest possible level
  • Chinese Mandarin: 最低點 /最低点 — the very lowest possible level
  • Chinese Mandarin: 最低水平 — the very lowest possible level
  • Finnish: pohja — the very lowest possible level
  • Finnish: pohjanoteeraus — the very lowest possible level
  • Finnish: kaikkein alin taso — the very lowest possible level
  • Finnish: alin mahdollinen taso — the very lowest possible level
  • French: fond du trou — the very lowest possible level
  • French: le fond du baril — the very lowest possible level
  • Italian: fondo del barile — the very lowest possible level
  • Japanese: どん底 (donzoko) — the very lowest possible level
  • Polish: samo dno — the very lowest possible level
  • Portuguese: fundo do poço — the very lowest possible level
  • Serbo-Croatian: дно дна (dno dna) — the very lowest possible level
  • Spanish: fondo — the very lowest possible level
  • Spanish: parte más profunda — the very lowest possible level
  • Spanish: suelo — the very lowest possible level