# Bear Market

idiom · CEFR B2

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/bear-market
Updated: 2026-07-19

## Meaning

A prolonged period of falling prices and pessimistic investor sentiment.

## Examples

- Many investors accumulated Bitcoin during the bear market.
- During the bear market, projects with no real users quietly disappeared.
- Seasoned holders treat a bear market as an accumulation phase, buying steadily while frightened newcomers sell at a loss.

## Origin

From the bear's downward swipe with its paws, taken to picture a falling market. (disputed)

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.