# bottom out

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/bottom-out
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Of a vehicle, to touch or drag along the ground or other surface.

## Examples

- The car will bottom out on this steep driveway.
- The road was so uneven that the heavy truck started to bottom out in the deep ruts.
- As the overloaded vehicle navigated the treacherous, cratered mountain pass, it frequently bottomed out against the jagged rocks, causing significant damage to the chassis.

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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.