be at the bottom of something

be at the bottom of (something)

To be the fundamental cause of something. Stubbornness is at the bottom of every unresolved disagreement. Has IT figured out what's at the bottom of the crashing issue yet? I spoke to some of your unhappy employees, and it sounds like a lack of appreciation by upper management is at the bottom of it all.

See also: bottom, of

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

be at the bottom of something

If something is at the bottom of a situation, it is the real cause of it. Remember that pride is at the bottom of all great mistakes. Note: You can also say that something lies at the bottom of a situation. This decision quite probably lies at the bottom of the colony's current discontent.

See also: bottom, of, something

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

be/lie at the ˈbottom of something

be the basic cause of something: Racist feelings almost certainly lie at the bottom of these recent attacks.

See also: bottom, lie, of, something

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