upshot
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /ˈʌpʃɒt/
US
- /ˈəpˌʃɑt/
Description
- result
- consequence
- outcome
- main point
Imagine throwing a stone into a still pond. The splash and the ripples spreading outward are the result of your action. That is the idea behind "upshot." It is what happens because of something else. It is not always planned or wanted; it is simply the result. If you study hard for an exam, the upshot might be a good grade. If you do not study, the upshot may be very different. The word can also mean the main point of something, like the simple meaning of a long talk.
The word "upshot" refers to the final result or consequence of an event, action, or situation. It is what comes after everything else has happened: the outcome, the bottom line, the thing that matters most in the end. Think of it as the end result of a chain of events. Something happens, other things follow, and the upshot is where it all leads.
It is often used when you want to sum up what came from a long process, a discussion, or a complicated situation. For example, you might say, "The upshot of the long negotiations was a compromise that satisfied neither side." In that sentence, the word points to the final outcome after many meetings, arguments, and decisions.
"Upshot" can also be used when someone wants the main point of a complicated matter. If a person asks, "What's the upshot of all this?" they are asking you to get to the point and explain what it all means. In this sense, the word is close to "main point" or "overall result," depending on the context.
So, whether you are talking about the consequence of a major decision or the meaning of a long and confusing story, "upshot" points to the final result or the central point that becomes clear in the end.
Examples
- 1
Main result
The upshot is that we won't be able to start until next week.
Pattern
the upshot is (that) + clause
the final result or main point is
- 2
Meeting result
The upshot of the meeting was a new deadline for the whole team.
- 3
Test conclusion
After months of testing, the upshot was clear: the cheaper design worked just as well.
- 4
Short version
It's a long story, but the upshot is that we ended up moving to a different city.
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- upshotnoun
Forms
- upshotspluralnoun