e.g. “It may be a few years until self-generated energy is making a real difference to the bottom line of UK companies, but even a small shift will help with making businesses more efficient and, of course, just a little bit more environmentally friendly.”
It is also used figuratively to mean the most important consideration in a situation or decision.
Examples
“The bottom line is that a new rail service through Hawick and the Scottish Borders will go a long way towards solving many of the economic and social challenges faced by the region.”
“The UK may seek to develop such ties elsewhere, but the bottom line is that our mutual relationship is irreplaceable.”
Care should be taken when using this term in financial contexts as it may be unclear whether it is being used literally or figuratively [1].
[1] “bottom line” in Fowler’s Concise Dictionary of Modern English Usage, edited by Butterfield, Jeremy. Oxford University Press, 2016.
Photo credit: Kit Carruthers (Creative Commons)
Updated Saturday 29 February 2020
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