hit bottom,touch bottom, rock bottom, bottom out

Auto Sales for March Offer Hope 

Is the private market a truly superior form of ownership, or a creature of sluggish growth and rock-bottom interest rates? Time will tell

But when an idea is universally held it often pays to be cautious

ECONOMIST.COM

Everyone now believes that private markets are better than public ones

But when an idea is universally held it often pays to be cautious

By NICK BUNKLEY
New-vehicle sales fell in March for a 17th consecutive month, but carmakers said proposed federal incentives could mean the market was bottoming out. 



The Wall Street Journal tops its worldwide newsbox, at least online, with some rare economic good news: this week was the stock market's best since November, prompting speculation that the economy could finally be close to bottoming out. "There is a real economy out there, and it has a chance of doing better," said one relieved trader.
A new Web site called "Rethinking Drinking" aims to help people recognize problem patterns with alcohol earlier and catch themselves before hitting bottom.



It was partly to dispel this bad image that Kazuma Hayashi, 41, a Buddhist priest without a temple of his own, said he founded a company, Obohsan.com (obohsan means priest), three years ago in a Tokyo suburb. The company dispatches freelance Buddhist priests to funerals and other services, cutting out funeral homes and other middlemen.
Prices, which are at least a third lower than the average, are listed clearly on the company’s Web site. A 10 percent discount is available for members.
“We even give out receipts,” Mr. Hayashi said.
Mr. Hayashi argued that instead of divorcing Japanese Buddhism further from its spiritual roots, his business attracted more people with its lower prices. The highest-ranking posthumous name went for about $1,500, a rock-bottom price.
“I know that, originally, that’s not what Buddhism was about,” Mr. Hayashi said of the top name. “But it’s a brand that our customers choose. Some really want it, so that means there’s a strong desire there, and we have to respond to it.”


A new Web site called "Rethinking Drinking" aims to help people recognize problem patterns with alcohol earlier and catch themselves before hitting bottom.



hit bottom
Also, touch bottom. Reach the worst or lowest point. For example, When he lost his job again they knew they had hit bottom, or When wheat prices touch bottom, the farmers will be up in arms.[Second half of 1800s]



bottom out phrasal verb
to have reached the lowest point in a continuously changing situation and to be about to improve:
The government claims that the recession is bottoming out.

rock bottom

n.
The lowest possible level or absolute bottom: Prices have hit rock bottom.
rockbottom rock'-bot'tom (rŏk'bŏt'əm) adj.