bottom line, the
modifier : a bottom-line matter
noun phrase - The bookkeeping figure showing profit or loss
- The result of any computation or estimate, esp one showing total costs: I'll go half if the bottom line's OK
- Any final decision or judgment: Let me tell you the bottom line
- A fundamental or crucial point of fact; the essence; the NITTY-GRITTY: The bottom line is I am paid to win games, not for goodwill
[1960s+; perhaps fr Yiddish untershte shure, ''bottom line,'' as used in the financial-commercial community]