Idiom – Bottom of the Barrel

Bottom of the Barrel – Idiom of the Day

Meaning:

Anything of low quality; the dregs; least desirable.

Usually part of the phrase: scrape the bottom of the barrel.

Origin:

The expression is derived from the historical practice in the early United States of storing food in barrels; when food supplies ran low, only what was on the very bottom of the barrel remained, and had to be removed by scraping.

Examples:

1. The media is literally scraping the bottom of the barrel for stories that might damage the presidential candidate.
2. Given the level of the candidates present for the interview, it was clear that the company was definitely scraping the bottom of the barrel for their position.
3. You are scraping the bottom of the barrel if you’re visiting Mumbai for good food.
4. The LA Lakers are for sure scraping the bottom of the barrel by playing LeMarcus in the starting lineup.
5. Try looking for good chocolate in an American supermarket. You’ll be taking your pick from the bottom of the barrel there.
6. You’re scraping the bottom of the barrel if you are looking for a job in this town.
7. You’re scraping the bottom of the barrel if you plan to study in this country. If you want something good, you will have to go overseas.