get to the bottom of

Idioms and Phrases

Find the basic underlying quality or cause of something. For example, He was determined to get to the bottom of the problem . [Late 1700s] Also see at bottom .

Example Sentences

“And I think that there’s a way in which we can kind of sublimate our own stuff by feeling like, ‘If I can just get to the bottom of why that guy or that person did that thing, maybe I could uncover some universal human truth and I could make sure that I never found myself in a situation like that again.’”

From Los Angeles Times

"I felt as though I needed to do it because I want to help get to the bottom of it," she says.

From BBC

They’re trying to get to the bottom of a couple of mysteries — who burned down a house, and something illegal that happened in Ohio — which might or might not end in the family’s deportation.

From Los Angeles Times

“Unfortunately, because of the repeated claims of confidentiality, it’s very difficult to get to the bottom of the matter, although I think we came close.”

From Los Angeles Times

BBC News NI has been examining the 79-page consultation to try to get to the bottom of some of the claims.

From BBC

Related Words

• delve
• explore
• fathom
• penetrate
• unravel