🌊 Lowest water level 📉 Lowest point

low-water mark

6.5

The lowest or worst point in a situation

noun
/ˈloʊˌwɔːtər mɑrk/

: punto más bajo

That period was the low-water mark of her political career.

Examples

The company's sales hit a low-water mark during the recession.
His confidence reached its low-water mark after repeated failures.
The low-water mark of this year was disappointing.
After the scandal, the company hit a low-water mark in sales.
The company's sales reached their low-water mark during the last quarter, leading to significant layoffs.
After the scandal, her career hit a low-water mark as she struggled to find new opportunities.
The town's population is at a low-water mark, with many residents leaving in search of better jobs.

Synonyms

low

vslow-water mark

130 1.0

The point when something is at its smallest level

is stronger, naming the single worst or lowest moment

rock bottom

vslow-water mark

Informal

35 4.4

A very low point in life, money, or feelings

is the same idea but for any low point in situations

nadir

vslow-water mark

4 9.2

The lowest point of a situation when things are at their worst

can mean any low or worst point not only extreme failure

rock-bottom level

vslow-water mark

4.4

The lowest point something can reach

is a lowest or worst point but not always the absolute limit

Antonyms

high point

30 3.3

The most exciting or important part of an experience

How Bad

catastrophe

176 7.0

low-water mark

6.5

crisis

∞ 3.1

problem

∞ 1.2

setback

148 3.6

Surface Forms

low-water mark singular

low-water marks plural

Morphology

low-water + mark

The components 'low' + 'water' + 'mark' literally suggest a mark indicating when water is at a low level, so the idea of a 'lowest point' is derivable from the parts. However, the use of this physical image metaphorically to mean the 'worst or lowest point of a situation' requires a metaphorical mapping (knowledge of tide/level metaphors) that may not be fully predictable for a B1 learner without prior exposure.

Etymology

Low-water mark is used for the 'worst point' of a situation because it brings to mind a clear mark left when the water falls to a low level. That's why people say a career or company hit its low-water mark when things are at their lowest.