bottom line

Universal Words noun [sing.] 1 (the bottom line) the most important thing that you have to consider or accept; the essential point in a discussion, etc: The bottom line is that we have to make a decision today. 2 (business) the amount of money that is a profit or a loss after everything has been calculated: The bottom line for 1999 was a pre-tax profit of ｣85 million. * Sales last month failed to add to the company's bottom line. 3 the lowest price that sb will accept: Two thousand-and that's my bottom line!