1. the least able member of a group; the least desirable items from a collection; the lowest possible condition, level, etc.

1. That last secretary you sent me was really the bottom of the barrel.

2. I don’t need any candidates from the bottom of the heap.

3. That’s probably the worst idea I’ve ever heard! You’ve really reached the bottom of the barrel, haven’t you?

4. I guess we can ask George to help. But in my opinion, we’re scraping the bottom of the barrel if we have to turn to him.

5. The excessive coverage of the scandal signals that the news media may have finally hit/reached the bottom of the barrel.