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Anonymous Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

of the barrel

(Today’s price could mark the bottom of the barrel.)

Could I change the sentence into the following sentence, not vitiating the meaning of the sentence?

(Today's price of the barrel could mark the bottom.)
  

Top answer

No, you cannot because "bottom of the barrel" is an expression in itself (it cannot be broken up without changing the meaning). Usually, "bottom of the barrel" means the dregs or the worse examples of something. Here come our new recruits.

— Doctor D

  • No, you cannot because "bottom of the barrel" is an expression in itself (it cannot be broken up without changing the meaning).
  • Usually, "bottom of the barrel" means the dregs or the worse examples of something.
  • Here come our new recruits.
  • They look like the bottom of the barrel to me.
  • Clear?
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4 Answers
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No, you cannot because "bottom of the barrel" is an expression in itself (it cannot be broken up without changing the meaning). Usually, "bottom of the barrel" means the dregs or the worse examples of something.

Here come our new recruits. They look like the bottom of the barrel to me.

Clear?
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Anonymousnot vitiating the meaning of the sentence
You mean "without changing the meaning of the sentence".

vitiate: to make something less effective; to reduce the value or quality of; to corrupt morally; to invalidate (a contract)
AnonymousCould I change the sentence into the following sentence
No. "bottom of the
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Thank you for your input on this.
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Your explanation has done me a power of good.
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