low ebb
4
6.5
- noun
- Informal
- Teaching methods in schools have been so theoretical that production is at a low ebb.
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Watch on YouTubeAnd and as you touched on, you know, I reached the very lowest ebb of humanity, frankly.
- And and as you touched on, you know, I reached the very lowest ebb of humanity, frankly.
- At a low ebb of At a low ebb of hope, I asked my friend Doug Peacock how he staves off despair.
- We are assaulting people who are ready at their lowest ebb and we're not even concerning ourselves with the consequences that can happen.
Examples
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Industry in Germany is at its lowest ebb except for some coal mining in the Ruhr.
Academic text (2003) -
After the team's poor performance last season, morale was at a low ebb among the fans.
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As vehicles for action, the political parties were at a low ebb.
Academic text (1992) -
Avoid low ebb hours when you know that you tend to be tired.
Academic text (1993) -
At the low ebb is when our commitment is tested.
Blog text (13) -
By the early 1740s, the art was at its lowest ebb.
Academic text (2015) -
One thing that's happening is the morality of this country is on a low ebb and it's getting lower.
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The influence and contributions of the political parties, both financial and organizational, seemed to reach a low ebb, with press and other media commenting with unusual unanimity on the disintegration of party structures.
Academic text (1992) -
The economy was at a low ebb during the last recession, with many businesses closing.
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He felt his motivation was at a low ebb, especially after receiving several rejections.
Synonyms
Antonyms
How Strong
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a state of reduced strength or activity' is directly compositional from 'low' (reduced level) and 'ebb' (a waning or decline), so a learner who knows both constituent words can infer the phrase. The tidal metaphor (ebb for decline) is a common and transparent semantic extension in many languages, making the expression predictable to B1 learners familiar with the parts.
Etymology
Low ebb comes from the sea: ebb is when the tide goes out and the water is low. So when something is at a low ebb, it is at a 'low point' or has 'less strength', like the sea with very little water.