Origin of Phrases - T
The bottom line
Meaning: The end result or conclusion.
Example: I don't want to hear about how this is a great place to work. I just want the bottom line. How much does the job pay?
Origin: This might seem like a reference to the shape of ones pants, but it is not that interesting.
A reference to the standard accounting reports. These include the Income Statement, Balance Sheet, and Statement of Cash Flows. In each of these multi-line reports, a variety of financial figures are provided. Some are positive and some are negative. But "the bottom line" of each report provides the net of all the figures.
In that sense the bottom line of each report is generally the most important indicator of the financial position. Anyone wanting the quick story would look first to the bottom line of each report.
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