bitter end

n.1. A final, painful, or disastrous extremity.2. Nautical The inboard end of a chain, rope, or cable, especially the end of a rope or cable that is wound around a bitt.

[English bitter, bitt (bitt + -er) + end. Sense 1, influenced by bitter.]

bitter end

n 1. (Nautical Terms) nautical the end of a line, chain, or cable, esp the end secured in the chain locker of a vessel 2. a. to the bitter end until the finish of a task, job, or undertaking, however unpleasant or difficult b. until final defeat or death [C19: in both senses perhaps from bitt]

bit•ter end

(ˈbɪt ər ˈɛnd for 1; ˈbɪt ər ˌɛnd for 2 )
n. 1. the conclusion of a difficult or unpleasant situation. 2. the inboard end of an anchor chain or other line. [1620–30 in form bitters end]

bitter end

The last extremity; from the end of a rope on a sailing ship being tied around a bitt (post for securing ropes).

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	bitter end - the final extremity (however unpleasant it may be); "he was determined to fight to the bitter end"extremity - an extreme condition or state (especially of adversity or disease)
	2.	bitter end - (nautical) the inboard end of a line or cable especially the end that is wound around a bittsailing, seafaring, navigation - the work of a sailorline - something (as a cord or rope) that is long and thin and flexible; "a washing line"end, terminal - either extremity of something that has length; "the end of the pier"; "she knotted the end of the thread"; "they rode to the end of the line"; "the terminals of the anterior arches of the fornix"

bitter end

the bitter end

1. The point of completion or conclusion, even though it may be difficult, unpleasant, or take a long time to reach. Possibly of nautical origin, referring to the "bitts" on a dock to which a ship's ropes are moored. I'm not really enjoying this book, but I always make a point of sticking with a novel till the bitter end.2. The final or most critical extremity, such as death or total defeat. We might not have a chance of winning today, but we have to give it our all until the bitter end! My father stayed beside my dying mother's bed till the bitter end.See also: bitter, end

bitter end

The last extremity; also, death or ruin. For example, I'm supporting the union's demands to the bitter end, or Even though they fight a lot, I'm sure Mom and Dad will stay together to the bitter end . The source of this term may have been nautical, a bitter being a turn of a cable around posts, or bitts, on a ship's deck, and the bitter end meaning "the part of the cable that stays inboard." Thus, when a rope is paid out to the bitter end, no more remains. [Mid-1800s] See also: bitter, end

Bitter End

bitter end

[¦bid·ər ′end] (naval architecture) The end of a line or cable, especially the inboard end.

Bitter End

(in Russian, zhvaka-gals, from the Dutch zwak-hals), a device for securing the inboard end of the anchor chain to the hull of the ship. The bitter end consists of a short segment of chain secured to the hull of the ship with a hinged hook connecting it to the anchor chain. The expression “slacken to the bitter end” means to let the anchor chain out all the way. On-the-spot or remote release of the bitterend hook in an emergency frees the ship of the anchor.

bitter end

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bitter end

bit•ter end

bitter end

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the bitter end

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Bitter End

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Bitter End

bitter end

Words related to bitter end

noun the final extremity (however unpleasant it may be)

Related Words

noun (nautical) the inboard end of a line or cable especially the end that is wound around a bitt

Related Words