Bottoms Up

Meaning of Idiom ‘Bottoms Up’

Bottoms up is an expression used as a toast or humorous exclamation used while drinking, especially while drinking alcoholic beverages. Similar to cheers or down the hatch, it is used when drinking with friends as a way to encourage others to drink together or simply to have fun. ¹,²

Usage

Bottoms Up is usually used as a standalone exclamation similar to other drinking toasts.

Example:

“Bottoms up!” said Ted, raising his glass.

Origin

Used since the early 1900’s.

This idiom literally encourages others to drink in such a way that the bottom of their glasses tilt upward and every last drop is consumed. As a toast, it is not necessary to take it literally.

More Idioms Starting with B

• Be in Someone’s Hair
• Beat a Dead Horse
• Be a 10, to
• Buck For Something
• Bottomless Pit

More Alcohol Related Idioms

• Half in the Bag
• Hit the Bottle
• Go Cold Turkey
• Fall Off the Wagon
• Drink Like a Fish

More Drinking Related Idioms

• Hit the Bottle
• Fall Off the Wagon

More Toasts 

• Here’s Mud In Your Eye!

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References

1. Ayto, John. Oxford Dictionary of English Idioms. Oxford: Oxford U, 2010.
2. Spears, Richard A. McGraw-Hill’s American Idioms Dictionary. Boston: McGraw Hill, 2008.