元もとはと言いえば

expression

when you get right down to it; as for the cause; originally

Used to trace back to the root cause or original reason for a situation, often implying that the speaker is pointing out the fundamental source of a problem or outcome.

• 元もとはと言いえば、君きみが遅ち刻こくしたのが原げん因いんだ。

  When you get right down to it, the cause is that you were late.

• 元もとはと言いえば、私わたしが言いい出だしたことだから、責せき任にんを感かんじている。

  Originally, it was something I proposed, so I feel responsible.