[be] at the bottom of {sth}
1
to be the direct cause of something, particularly something unpleasant
The idiom "be at the bottom of something" has its origin in the idea that the bottom often represents the foundation or root cause of a situation or issue. It is used to suggest that a particular person or thing is the underlying reason or origin of a problem, event, or action.
- The detective believed that a personal grudge was at the bottom of the crime.
- The lack of funding for the project was at the bottom of its failure to launch successfully.
- After careful investigation, it was clear that miscommunication was at the bottom of the team's conflicts.
- In the world of politics, hidden agendas can often be at the bottom of major policy decisions.
- A misunderstanding between the two friends was at the bottom of their recent falling out.