the bottom line

lo más importante, lo esencial

• The bottom line is, we can't ship until QA signs off.
• After all the debates, the bottom line is we need more funding.
• The bottom line of the report is that changes must be made immediately.

The phrase 'the bottom line' is often used in business and discussion contexts to summarize the key point or most important conclusion. It is a common expression in both formal and informal speech and writing. It is used to emphasize what is essential after a discussion or analysis.

Spanish speakers sometimes incorrectly use 'the most important line' instead of 'the bottom line'. This mistake arises from a literal translation, thinking of 'bottom' as a physical position rather than understanding it as an idiom.

• more often than not
  más a menudo que no, la mayoría de las veces
• in the pipeline
  en proceso, en preparación
• by no means
  de ninguna manera, en absoluto
• the jury is out on (something)
  todavía no hay acuerdo / está por verse