get to the bottom of it
Meaning
To discover the real cause or truth behind something; to fully investigate and understand what happened.
Origin
From the metaphor of reaching the bottom of a container or the deepest point of something: once you reach the bottom, nothing is hidden beneath, so the full truth is uncovered.
Notes
Used for investigating a problem, rumor, or incident until the true cause is known. Neutral, common in both everyday and workplace contexts.
Examples
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The server keeps crashing, but weβll get to the bottom of it by tomorrow.
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She sensed something was off and promised to get to the bottom of it.
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The police are determined to get to the bottom of the missing funds.
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If you send me the logs, I can help you get to the bottom of it.
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It took weeks of interviews to get to the bottom of what really happened.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Fixed pattern: get to the bottom of + noun/pronoun (it/this/that). Often with will/need to: βWe need to get to the bottom of this.β Tense changes on get (got, getting).
Synonyms
- get to the root of it
- find out whatβs going on
- uncover the truth
- get to the heart of it
Antonyms
- leave it alone
- drop it
- let it go