bitter end

[ bit-er end bit-er end ]

noun

1. the conclusion of a difficult or unpleasant situation; the last or furthest extremity:

   Despite the unpleasant scenes in the movie, she insisted on staying until the bitter end.

2. Nautical.
   1. the inboard end of an anchor chain or cable, secured in the chain locker of a vessel.
   2. the end of any chain or cable.

bitter end

noun

1. nautical the end of a line, chain, or cable, esp the end secured in the chain locker of a vessel
2. 1. to the bitter end until the finish of a task, job, or undertaking, however unpleasant or difficult
   2. until final defeat or death

Word History and Origins

Origin of bitter end¹

1620–30 in form bitters end; probably bitt + -er ¹( def ), later taken as bitter

Word History and Origins

Origin of bitter end¹

C19: in both senses perhaps from bitt

Idioms and Phrases

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]

Example Sentences

Even still, it seemed briefly that Carlsen had earned the sort of slight advantage that he is famous for chasing to the bitter end.

From FiveThirtyEight

Take the semifinal for what it was: a battle to the bitter end between two proud football nations.

From The Daily Beast

And the remaining militants appear eager to milk the crisis right to the bitter end.

From The Daily Beast

Custer was played as a cliché of grit and courage, jaw clenched with resolve as he fought to the bitter end.

From The Daily Beast

I deliberately ignored all the warning voices inside me and enjoyed the time by his side almost until the bitter end.

From The Daily Beast

Literally, to the very, very bitter end, even if it took her five hours to get ready, she would do it.

From The Daily Beast

Harney still lay on the bed, motionless and with fixed eyes, as though following his vision to its bitter end.

From Project Gutenberg

“Now listen to this, girls,” said Puddy, who was intent on reading her excerpts to the bitter end.

From Project Gutenberg

But there were ugly people in the world, who began ugly, and went on being ugly to the bitter end.

From Project Gutenberg

But they are deaf and blind to the things of God; so the awful indictment must proceed to the bitter end.

From Project Gutenberg

Florence then came out, and we left those two to fight it out to the bitter end.

From Project Gutenberg