bottom of the barrel

Definitions

The lowest possible level of a person or thing in terms of character or quality; also, a person or thing at such a level.

derogatory, figuratively

Equivalents

Examples

“He went from being at the bottom of the barrel to being an inch above the bottom of the barrel.”

“Here is the first new collection of Rohmer stories in years, and they are the absolute bottom of the barrel! Detective stories, romances, war stories — everything but the "strange stories" advertised in the title.”

“The bottom of the barrel as far as accommodation in the Ville Nouvelle goes.”

“I know⟳ it’s hard work⟳ in our game, and you get⟳ to a point⟳, 15 years into a career, where you’re not bringing in much dough. But it’s proper bottom of the barrel, a celebrity Britain’s Got Talent.”

CEFR level