upshot

en
en
Change language
Translating...
Find language
Français
French
Español
Spanish
Deutsch
German
Português
Portuguese
Русский
Russian
/ˈʌpʃɑːt/
Add to My Dictionary
In My Dictionary
+1
A final result or conclusion, with an older archery sense for the last shot in a contest behind the modern meaning.
Practice using upshot in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • The term upshot once belonged to the language of shooting matches.
  • From that final upshot came the later meaning of result.
  • A missed upshot could lose the whole contest.
  • In the old archery match, the upshot decided the winner.
  • The upshot is that the project will cost more than expected.

Similar words

outcome
final effect
bottom line
conclusion
net effect
consequence
closing shot
last arrow
last shot
final shot

Meanings

Final result

noun
communication
neutral
The final result, conclusion, or practical point that follows from a discussion, event, or chain of reasoning.

Examples

  • The upshot of the talks was a new funding agreement.
  • The upshot is that the project will cost more than expected.
  • After a long explanation, she finally gave us the upshot.
  • The report's upshot was simple: demand had fallen sharply.
  • Several witnesses disagreed, but the upshot was clear.
  • The upshot of the ruling is that the policy must change.
  • He skipped the details and asked for the upshot.

Similar words

result
outcome
conclusion
consequence
bottom line
net effect
final effect

Final shot in a contest

noun
history
archaic
The last shot in an archery or shooting contest, a historical sense that led to the modern idea of a final outcome.

Examples

  • In the old archery match, the upshot decided the winner.
  • The chronicler described the archer's final upshot.
  • A missed upshot could lose the whole contest.
  • The term upshot once belonged to the language of shooting matches.
  • His last arrow, the upshot, landed closest to the mark.
  • The archers saved their best aim for the upshot.
  • From that final upshot came the later meaning of result.

Similar words

final shot
last arrow
closing shot
last shot

Etymology

From up + shot. It was recorded in the 1530s for the final shot in an archery match, then developed the figurative sense of result or conclusion around 1600.

FAQ

What does upshot mean?

Upshot means the final result, conclusion, or main practical point of something.

How is upshot used in a sentence?

A common pattern is the upshot is that, as in the upshot is that the plan will change.

Can upshot be a verb?

No. In current English, upshot is a noun, so we need to upshot this is not standard.

Where does upshot come from?

Upshot comes from up + shot and originally referred to the final shot in an archery match.

Is upshot formal?

Upshot is neutral to slightly polished. It works well in reports, explanations, and summaries.

What are synonyms for upshot?

Useful synonyms include result, outcome, conclusion, consequence, bottom line, and net effect.

Comments & contributions

Know this word from another angle? Add a correction, a nuance, or a usage note. New posts go public after a quick review.
Posting as a guest · Sign in
Newest
Top
Active
Contribution
Loyal Leopard
Jul 8
Practical upshot is useful in work writing. It means ok, what does this actually change for us
2
Reply
Contribution
Pale Rabbit
Jun 24
Usually the upshot. Whats the upshot? is fine. What is upshot? sounds like learner English unless you mean the word itself.
5
Reply
Contribution
Perky Falcon
Jun 18
I hear upshot mostly after somebody has already explained too much. Like, we argued for an hour about dates and invoices and the upshot is we still have to move the launch. It is not just any result, it is the part you keep after the mess.
8
Reply
Winter Dolphin
Jun 24
this is why bottom line feels close but not exactly same to me
1
Look up word or phrase...