The idiom "at the bottom of the hour" refers to the point in time that is 30 minutes past the top of an hour. Though it's primarily used in broadcasting, this phrase has wide applications in casual conversation or scheduling.

In short:

"At the bottom of the hour" signifies the half-hour mark in a given hour.

What Does "At the Bottom of the Hour" Mean?

"At the bottom of the hour" is an idiomatic expression used to indicate that an event or action will occur 30 minutes past the hour. For example, if someone says, "Meet me at the bottom of the hour," they mean, "Meet me at _:30" (e.g., 2:30, 3:30, 4:30, etc.). This phrase is commonly used in broadcast media, such as radio and television, to indicate the timing of shows, news updates, or commercials.

Let's explore its core meanings:

• It essentially denotes the 30-minute mark of any hour.
• Commonly used in broadcasting, this phrase signifies when updates or program breaks might occur.
• It can also be used casually in daily conversations to indicate time.

Where Does "At the Bottom of the Hour" Come From?

The term "at the bottom of the hour" is derived from the visual representation of time on a clock face. When the minute hand is at 30 minutes, it is at the bottom of the clock, hence "at the bottom of the hour." The phrase is predominantly used in broadcast media to schedule and organize programming.

Historical Example

The placement of the 24 - hour position at the bottom of the hour scale appears to be slightly superior to its placement at the top of the hour scale. 

- Aviation Psychology Program Research Reports, 1947

10 Examples of "At the Bottom of the Hour" in Sentences

Here are some examples of using the idiom in sentences:

• The radio station provides news updates at the bottom of the hour.
• Welcome back. We'll resume the program at the bottom of the hour.
• The next bus arrives at the bottom of the hour.
• He's currently on leave but will call in for the conference at the bottom of the hour.
• The host announced a commercial break at the bottom of the hour.
• Please bear with us; our technical difficulties should be resolved by the bottom of the hour.
• The interview will take place at the bottom of the hour.
• I'll be home at the bottom of the hour to help with the chores.
• The conference call will start at the bottom of the hour.
• Our discussion will kick off at the bottom of the hour, so stay tuned.

Examples of "At the Bottom of the Hour" in Pop Culture

While not frequently appearing in pop culture, the phrase "at the bottom of the hour" is a staple in broadcasting, often used to signal transitions or indicate scheduling details.

Let's examine some examples:

• In the movie The Hunt for Red October (1990)" Jack Ryan tells Capt. Bart Mancuso, "No. Because he always goes to starboard in the bottom half of the hour."
• A quote from the book "Encyclopedia of Journalism" by Christopher H. Sterling: "Despite talent changes, GMA has remained steady with its format of news and weather updates at the top and bottom of the hour, feature stories and interviews in between using expert guests, and local news updates at 25 and 55 minutes..."

Other/Different Ways to Say "At the Bottom of the Hour"

There aren't many alternative expressions that convey the same precise meaning as "at the bottom of the hour."

Some examples include:

• Half past the hour
• Thirty minutes past
• Halfway through the hour

10 Frequently Asked Questions About "At the Bottom of the Hour":

• What does "at the bottom of the hour" mean?

"At the bottom of the hour" refers to the 30-minute mark in a given hour. It is often used in broadcasting and scheduling.

• How can I use "at the bottom of the hour" in a sentence?

You can use this idiom to indicate a specific time point, such as "The meeting will start at the bottom of the hour."

• Where does the idiom "at the bottom of the hour" come from?

The phrase comes from the visualization of a clock face, where the minute hand is at the bottom at 30 minutes past any hour.

• Is "at the bottom of the hour" a formal term?

The term is neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

• Does "at the bottom of the hour" only refer to broadcasting schedules?

No, while often used in that context, it can be used to indicate the half-hour mark in any situation.

• Can you use it to denote any half-hour mark?

Yes, "at the bottom of the hour" can refer to any point in time that is 30 minutes past any given hour.

• Is "at the bottom of the hour" used globally?

Yes, it's used in English-speaking countries worldwide, particularly in broadcasting and media settings.

• What are some alternative expressions to "at the bottom of the hour"?

Phrases like "half past the hour," "thirty minutes past," or "halfway through the hour" carry similar meanings.

• Can you use it in written communication?

Yes, it can be used in written communication, especially when detailing schedules or timelines.

• Can you use it in a digital clock context?

Yes, it can still be used to indicate the half-hour mark, even in the context of digital clocks.

Final Thoughts About "At the Bottom of the Hour"

The idiom "at the bottom of the hour" signifies the half-hour mark or 30 minutes past any given hour. You'll commonly encounter the phrase in broadcasting, scheduling, and other contexts where precise time indication is necessary.

Here's a quick recap:

• The term denotes the 30-minute mark in any hour.
• The phrase originates from the visualization of a clock face.
• While it's more common in broadcasting, it can be used in any context to indicate the half-hour mark.

The idiom highlights how we often represent the abstract concept of time in concrete, spatial terms. Describing an hour as having a "top" and "bottom" allows us to visualize its progression in a simple, familiar way.