Race to the bottom
noun phrase
A situation where companies or countries are trying to outdo one another by cutting costs, but end up hurting everyone involved.
The unregulated market could lead to a race to the bottom, where companies sacrifice safety standards to cut costs.
Often appears as...
- economic race to the bottom
- global race to the bottom
Usage tips
Formal
Economic
noun phrase
An action that leads to decreased quality or standards in order to achieve short-term advantages.
The constant price wars between supermarkets are leading to a race to the bottom in terms of food quality.
Often appears as...
- race to the bottom in quality
- race to the bottom in standards
Usage tips
Formal
Business
noun phrase
A situation where companies or countries are trying to outdo one another by cutting costs, but end up hurting everyone involved.
The unregulated market could lead to a race to the bottom, where companies sacrifice safety standards to cut costs.
Often appears as...
- economic race to the bottom
- global race to the bottom
Usage tips
Formal
Economic
noun phrase
An action that leads to decreased quality or standards in order to achieve short-term advantages.
The constant price wars between supermarkets are leading to a race to the bottom in terms of food quality.
Often appears as...
- race to the bottom in quality
- race to the bottom in standards
Usage tips
Formal
Business
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Outcome
The phrase often implies a negative outcome from intense competition or cost-cutting.
The airline industry's race to the bottom drastically reduced ticket prices but at the cost of customer service quality.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Literal
Understand it's a metaphor for destructive competition, not an actual race or literal descent.
Many manufacturers engage in a race to the bottom, compromising environmental standards for profit.
Pro Tip 3/3Economic Context
It's commonly used in economic and political discussions about market regulations.
The tax incentives have initiated a race to the bottom among states to attract businesses.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Outcome
The phrase often implies a negative outcome from intense competition or cost-cutting.
The airline industry's race to the bottom drastically reduced ticket prices but at the cost of customer service quality.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Literal
Understand it's a metaphor for destructive competition, not an actual race or literal descent.
Many manufacturers engage in a race to the bottom, compromising environmental standards for profit.
Pro Tip 3/3Economic Context
It's commonly used in economic and political discussions about market regulations.
The tax incentives have initiated a race to the bottom among states to attract businesses.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Outcome
The phrase often implies a negative outcome from intense competition or cost-cutting.
The airline industry's race to the bottom drastically reduced ticket prices but at the cost of customer service quality.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Literal
Understand it's a metaphor for destructive competition, not an actual race or literal descent.
Many manufacturers engage in a race to the bottom, compromising environmental standards for profit.
Pro Tip 3/3Economic Context
It's commonly used in economic and political discussions about market regulations.
The tax incentives have initiated a race to the bottom among states to attract businesses.
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