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unterm Strich

at the end of the day; when all is said and done; net result

adverb OON-term SHTRIKH Rare
Communication Expressions

Usage Note

unterm Strich (literally 'below the line', as in an accounting ledger) is a very common colloquial phrase to introduce a final assessment or bottom-line conclusion. Widely used in spoken and journalistic German.

Examples

"Unterm Strich hat sich die Investition gelohnt."

Natural Translation

When all is said and done, the investment was worth it.

Literal Translation

Below the line the investment has paid off.

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