bottom of a pot; lingering recession
Literal meaning is the inner bottom of a pot. Figuratively used in economics to describe a prolonged, stagnant recession that feels like the bottom of a pot—flat and unchanging.
There is a burnt spot on the bottom of the pot.
The economy remains in a lingering recession, like the flat bottom of a pot.
Compound of 鍋 (pot) and 底 (bottom). The economic sense is a metaphorical extension based on the flat, unchanging shape of a pot bottom.