final line / end
Loading your saved state.
to draw a line under
To end or conclude something definitively, often after a difficult phase or a conflict.
Nach dem langen Streit beschlossen sie, einen Schlussstrich zu ziehen und neu anzufangen.
After the long argument, they decided to draw a line under it and start fresh.
The word is made up of 'der Schluss' (the end) and 'der Strich' (the line). So it literally describes a line at the end of something.
Mit einem dicken Schlussstrich beendete sie ihren Brief.
With a thick final line, she ended her letter.
The literal meaning (a line on paper) is found in the context of bills, texts, or mathematics. The figurative meaning (ending something) refers to situations, relationships, or the past.
Der Buchhalter zog den Schlussstrich unter die Bilanz.
The accountant drew the final line under the balance sheet.
The figurative meaning is almost always used in the fixed expression 'einen Schlussstrich ziehen' (to draw a line under something). It is often followed by 'unter etwas' (under something, accusative).
Sie hat beschlossen, einen Schlussstrich unter ihre unglückliche Vergangenheit zu ziehen.
She decided to draw a line under her unhappy past.
end
'das Ende' and 'der Schlussstrich' can both express an ending. 'das Ende' simply describes that something is over. 'der Schlussstrich' is often used in the phrase 'einen Schlussstrich ziehen' (to draw a line under something). Then it means: you end something definitively, often after an argument, problems, or a difficult period. As an actual line, a 'Schlussstrich' can also close off a bill, calculation, or text. In everyday language, 'Ende' is more neutral. 'Schlussstrich' more strongly emphasizes a conscious decision not to continue.
Nach dem Streit zog meine Kollegin einen Schlussstrich und wechselte das Team.
After the argument, my colleague drew a line under it and changed teams.
Nach drei Stunden kam endlich das Ende der langen Diskussion.
After three hours, the long discussion finally came to an end.