The spelling of the phrase "were at bottom of" may seem simple, but there are certain phonetic intricacies that must be kept in mind. The /w/ sound at the beginning of "were" is represented by the letter "w," while the short /e/ sound is represented by the letters "e" and "r." The /æ/ sound in "at" is represented by the letters "a" and "t," and the /b/ sound in "bottom" is represented by the letters "b" and "o." Finally, the /ʌ/ sound in "of" is represented by the letters "o" and "f".
The phrase "were at the bottom of" is an idiomatic expression used to describe the underlying or fundamental reasons or causes behind a particular situation or problem. It suggests that the identified reasons or causes are core factors or roots from which the situation or problem emerged.
When something is described as "were at the bottom of," it implies that there are deeper layers or aspects that need to be explored or understood in order to fully grasp the origin or nature of the matter in question. It suggests that the revealed reasons or causes are not superficial or incidental but rather essential and influential in shaping the situation.
It can be used in various contexts, such as historic events, social issues, psychological analysis, or any situation where uncovering the underlying factors is significant. For instance, in political discourse, one might say, "Corruption and power struggles were at the bottom of the economic crisis," indicating that these factors played a crucial role in causing or exacerbating the financial downfall.
Overall, the phrase "were at the bottom of" emphasizes the importance of identifying and understanding the core reasons or causes behind a particular situation, shedding light on the underlying dynamics that may have shaped or influenced the matter at hand.