bottom of the ninth
By extension, any last chance or final opportunity.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“This is the bottom of the ninth for our team.”
“I need a miracle because it is the bottom of the ninth for my grade.”
“We are in the bottom of the ninth with this business deal.”
“With only one day left to submit the proposal, we knew we were at the bottom of the ninth.”
“The candidate is trailing in the polls, so this final televised debate is really the bottom of the ninth for her campaign.”
“After three failed attempts to fix the engine, the mechanic knew this last part was his bottom of the ninth.”
“As the negotiations dragged past midnight, the exhausted diplomats realized they had reached the bottom of the ninth, with mere hours to prevent the treaty from collapsing entirely.”
From the scoreboard convention of placing the home team’s score below that of the visiting team, and the standard duration of nine innings in a baseball game. The term indicates the second half of the final inning, the point at which the home team has their final opportunity to bat.
- 01
bet one's bottom dollar
To be absolutely sure of something; to be certain enough of something to wager everything.
- 02
bottom dollar
The last of one's money; all of one's money.
- 03
bottom fishing
Buying, or seeking opportunities to buy, investment securities or other valuable properties at a time when markets are depressed and prices are low.
- 04
bottom line
The summary or result; the most important information.
- 05
bottom of the line
The worst or lowest quality on the market, especially among a range of products.
- 06
bottom out
Of a vehicle, to touch or drag along the ground or other surface.
- 07
bottom the house
To clean a house from top to bottom; to clean a house extremely thoroughly.
- 08
get to the bottom of
To come to understand, discover the truth about, or solve.
Last updated August 10, 2026