bitter end


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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.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

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]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

bitter end

The last extremity; from the end of a rope on a sailing ship being tied around a bitt (post for securing ropes).
Dictionary of Unfamiliar Words by Diagram Group Copyright © 2008 by Diagram Visual Information Limited
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun1.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 bitt
sailing, seafaring, navigation - the work of a sailor
line - 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"
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
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Sometimes I thought I was sure 'nough from Ohier, an' other times I could 'a swore I was from th' bitter end of Florida.
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Despising others, it was in the logical order of things that I should follow my conclusions to their bitter end, and consistently despise myself.
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His wife sat by the fire and wept, with her face in her hands; his eldest son was crouched upon the floor, running over a great mass of papers and now and again setting one alight and burning it to the bitter end; all the while a servant lass with a red face was rummaging about the room, in a blind hurry of fear, and whimpering as she went; and every now and again one of the men would thrust in his face from the yard, and cry for orders.
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"And now, honestly, I wished I had put a bullet through my head before joining in this murderous conspiracy; but retreat was impossible, even if I had been the man to draw back after going so far; and I had a still stronger reason for standing by the others to the bitter end. I could not leave our lady to these ruffians.
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On one point we were all agreed, and that was that, come what might, we would go through with this job to the bitter end. We had come out for a fortnight's enjoyment on the river, and a fortnight's enjoyment on the river we meant to have.
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By noon the sea went very high indeed, and our ship rode forecastle in, shipped several seas, and we thought once or twice our anchor had come home; upon which our master ordered out the sheet-anchor, so that we rode with two anchors ahead, and the cables veered out to the bitter end.
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Also, he explained that there were many accidents in the mills, and that the company's policy was to fight to the bitter end all consequent damage suits.
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Let us follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and quick march!"
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He said he would "fight to the bitter end" in order to carry on working.
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If the unspeakable happens-your fly line ends up totally severed-and you can retrieve the bitter end, all is not lost.
Flyline First Aid: Treat your investment well and enjoy seasons of smooth casting and successful battles
The Black Sabbath star, who describes his late pal as "a hero until the bitter end", says: "I went to his memorial, and it was like the Star Wars bar - all different shapes of people."
METAL MATES; IRISH DAILY MIRROR DMEEIR am RDAY WEEKEND with ASHLEIGH RAINBIRD It's light work for METAL IRISHDAILY MIR WEEW 20

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