get to the bottom of
Solve the mystery
To get to the bottom of something is to discover its true cause or explanation, especially through investigation: We need to get to the bottom of these billing errors.
The phrase implies digging past surface appearances to find what's really going on: Detectives worked for months to get to the bottom of the conspiracy.
Thorough examination or tool
- inquireAsk for information
- examineStudy with attention
- scrutinizeInspect with close attention
- researchSystematic fact-finding effort
analyze · delve · explore · dig into · look into · interrogate · question · cross-examine
Firmness of purpose
- figure outDetermine through reasoning
- work outExercise or solve
- crackNarrow break or attempt
- decipherConvert code to plaintext
decode · puzzle out · sort out · straighten out · answer · determine · conclude · deduce
Make something visible
- exposeMake known publicly
- unearthExcavate or reveal hidden
- unmaskReveal true identity
- unveilReveal something hidden
disclose · discover · find out · bring to light · root out · ferret out · detect · lay bare
Grasp the meaning
- make sense ofGrasp the meaning
- comprehendTo fully understand
- graspSeize or understand
- elucidateTo make understood
demystify · untangle · disentangle · unravel · shed light on · clear up · illuminate · explain
probe
Thorough examination or tool
- inquireAsk for information
- examineStudy with attention
- scrutinizeInspect with close attention
research · analyze · delve · explore · dig into · look into · interrogate · question · cross-examine · inspect
resolve
Firmness of purpose
- figure outDetermine through reasoning
- work outExercise or solve
- crackNarrow break or attempt
decipher · decode · puzzle out · sort out · straighten out · answer · determine · conclude · deduce · piece together
reveal
Make something visible
unveil · disclose · discover · find out · bring to light · root out · ferret out · detect · lay bare · smoke out
understand
Grasp the meaning
- make sense ofGrasp the meaning
- comprehendTo fully understand
- graspSeize or understand
elucidate · demystify · untangle · disentangle · unravel · shed light on · clear up · illuminate · explain · interpret
get to the bottom ofscratch the surface
Examine only superficially
gloss over · take at face value · skim over · brush off · paper over
get to the bottom ofmuddy the waters
Deliberately confuse an issue
obscure · obfuscate · confuse · complicate · mystify
getting, gotten, bottom, bottoms, bottomed, bottoming, bottomless