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Glite Dictionary
to get to the bottom of

to get to the bottom of

137 3.9
Find the real reason for a problem by checking carefully
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : llegar al fondo de
  • We're going to get to the bottom of this once and for all.
  • get to the bottom of things

Let's try getting to the bottom of what they mean.

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Examples

  • All right, we'll get to the bottom of it.

    Election (1999)

  • Now we can get to the bottom of this.

    The Faculty (1998)

  • So I had to know I had to get to the bottom of this, but how?

  • There was a long period of trying to get to the bottom of our problem.

  • Having said that, we got to get to the bottom of what happened.

    Harvard University

  • And what I want you to get to the bottom of is what was that core feeling?

  • We got to get to the bottom of this.

    Hit Man (2024)

  • I want you to tell me anything you can that will help me get to the bottom of this.

    Fiction book (1997)

  • We're meeting tomorrow at nine to see if we can get to the bottom of this Moroccan business.

    Fiction book (1999)

  • After weeks of investigation, the detective finally managed to get to the bottom of the case.

Synonyms

to find out
vsto get to the bottom of
∞ 2.1

To learn something you did not know, often by searching or asking

is more thorough and seeks the actual cause or truth behind facts
to investigate
vsto get to the bottom of
∞ 2.8

To look carefully at something to find facts

is specifically focused on finding the underlying cause or truth
to determine
vsto get to the bottom of
781 2.3

To find out a fact by checking or measuring

is focused more narrowly on revealing the real cause or truth
to analyze
vsto get to the bottom of
  • US
675 3.2

To study something carefully to understand it better

applies that analysis toward finding the true cause or truth
to look into
vsto get to the bottom of
573 2.8

Examine something carefully to find out more

adds the goal of discovering the real cause or truth
to explore
vsto get to the bottom of
471 2.3

To study something carefully to learn more about it

focuses on finding the real cause through full investigation
to research
vsto get to the bottom of
300 3.1

To study a subject carefully to find new facts

is directed toward uncovering the real cause or truth of an issue
to dig into
vsto get to the bottom of
  • Informal
70 3.7

To look at something carefully, often by searching under the surface

centres on discovering the true cause or actual truth
to delve
vsto get to the bottom of
61 4.7

To look deeply into a subject to find information

targets finding the real cause or truth within that depth
to ascertain
vsto get to the bottom of
59 5.7

To find out for sure by checking the facts

often aims specifically at confirming the true cause or truth
to examine
vsto get to the bottom of
  • Formal
53 3.1

To ask someone many questions in a formal way to find out facts

can be used to reach the real cause or truth through questioning
to dig deep
vsto get to the bottom of
43 4.4

Search carefully to find hidden facts or details

is aimed at identifying the real cause or underlying truth
to probe
vsto get to the bottom of
  • Literature
35 5.1

To ask careful questions to find hidden information

seeks the ultimate cause or truth beyond just facts
to learn the truth
vsto get to the bottom of
31 3.0

To find out what really happened

is broader, involving full investigation to reach the underlying cause
to run down
vsto get to the bottom of
28 5.6

To find the source of something by checking facts

is aimed at determining the real cause or truth through tracing
to unearth
vsto get to the bottom of
23 4.4

To find hidden facts or things by careful searching

stresses uncovering the actual cause or truth rather than mere discovery
to suss
vsto get to the bottom of
  • UK
14 8.4

To find out what is happening by looking for facts and clues

is more systematic and aims to expose the true cause
to ferret out
vsto get to the bottom of
  • Informal
13 6.7

To search carefully to find hidden facts or documents

adds emphasis on revealing the true cause or real truth
to suss out
vsto get to the bottom of
  • UK
8 8.2

To find out what is really happening

seeks the real underlying cause rather than just understanding generally
to plumb
vsto get to the bottom of
7 7.4

To examine something deeply to learn more about it

is about finding the actual cause or truth through full investigation
to probe deeper
vsto get to the bottom of
1 4.4

To look into something more carefully to find hidden facts

aims to uncover the true cause rather than just add detail
to plumb the depth
vsto get to the bottom of
7.9

To examine something carefully to find hidden details

focuses specifically on discovering the real cause or truth

Antonyms

to ignore
∞ 1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

to dismiss
332 3.0

To refuse to accept an idea or claim

How Thorough

to probe
  • Literature
35 5.1
to get to the bottom of
137 3.9
to investigate
∞ 2.8
to look into
573 2.8
to check
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

get to the bottom of infinitive
getting to the bottom of present participle
gets to the bottom of third person singular
got to the bottom of past
got to the bottom of past participle

Morphology

get + to + the + bottom + of

The phrase uses a spatial metaphor: 'get' + 'bottom' suggests reaching the lowest part, which maps onto finding an underlying cause. This metaphorical extension is fairly common across languages, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents can often infer the general sense but may miss the full idiomatic nuance of thorough investigation without prior exposure.

Etymology

Get to the bottom of may come from the image of someone trying to get down to the bottom of a deep well or box to find something hidden, or from digging down to reach the deepest part. So, it now means 'to investigate thoroughly' or 'discover the real cause'.