got to the bottom of
Found the cause
Got to the bottom of means discovered the true cause or explanation of something after investigation or inquiry.
The phrase implies persistent effort to understand a matter that was initially unclear or mysterious.
After weeks of analysis, the auditors finally got to the bottom of the accounting discrepancies.
The expression uses bottom as a metaphor for the foundational truth underlying surface appearances.
Reveal what's hidden
- revealMake something visible
- exposeMake known publicly
- unmaskReveal true identity
- detectNotice or discover
scrutinize · dissect · analyze · probe · examine · dig into · research · inquire
Firmness of purpose
- crackNarrow break or attempt
- figure outDetermine through reasoning
- work outExercise or solve
- puzzle outSolve by reasoning
sort out · clear up · unravel · decipher · decode · disentangle · piece together · make sense of
To fully understand
- graspSeize or understand
- realizeBecome aware of
- fathomNautical depth unit
- discernPerceive with careful attention
perceive · recognize · see clearly · make head or tail of · wrap one's head around
uncover
Reveal what's hidden
detect · scrutinize · dissect · analyze · probe · examine · dig into · research · inquire · explore
resolve
Firmness of purpose
- crackNarrow break or attempt
- figure outDetermine through reasoning
- work outExercise or solve
puzzle out · sort out · clear up · unravel · decipher · decode · disentangle · piece together · make sense of · determine
comprehend
To fully understand
discern · perceive · recognize · see clearly · make head or tail of · wrap one's head around
got to the bottom ofglossed over
Superficially addressed, then moved on
took at face value · overlooked · ignored · swept under the rug · let slide