Bottom Line

Etymology:

• This expression was used by the accountant to add profits and losses and then take out a sum. That sum was literally known, as the bottom line of all the figures. It is still a common word used by accountants and bookkeepers to show any sort of profit or loss. The scope of meaning has been broadened in the past few years. It means more than a financial statement now and it shows the final result of anything. It does not matter if it’s of financial nature or not.