# rock bottom

idiom

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

## Meaning

The very lowest possible level.

## Examples

- He hit rock bottom after losing his job.
- After months of failing to pay his bills, he realized he had finally hit rock bottom.
- The company hit rock bottom following the scandal, forcing the board to replace the entire leadership team to avoid total collapse.

## Origin

The term derives from the geological substratum of the seafloor, specifically the solid rock layer situated beneath the loose sand. The image is one of terminal descent, where further downward movement is obstructed by the density of the earth.

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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.