bitter end

[ bit-er end for 1; bit-er end for 2 ]

/ ˈbɪt ər ˈɛnd for 1; ˈbɪt ər ˌɛnd for 2 /

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See synonyms for bitter end on Thesaurus.com

noun

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.

Nautical.

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

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of bitter end

1620–30 in form bitters end; probably bitt + -er¹, later taken as bitter

Words nearby bitter end

bitter, bitter apple, bitterbark, bitterbrush, bittercress, bitter end, bitterender, bitter herb, bitter lake, Bitter Lakes, bitterling

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use bitter end in a sentence

Even still, it seemed briefly that Carlsen had earned the sort of slight advantage that he is famous for chasing to the bitter end.
The World Chess Championship Opens With An Endless Knight-Rook Dance|Oliver Roeder|November 26, 2021|FiveThirtyEight
Take the semifinal for what it was: a battle to the bitter end between two proud football nations.
Argentina Drops the Netherlands on Penalties in World Cup Semifinal|Tunku Varadarajan|July 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And the remaining militants appear eager to milk the crisis right to the bitter end.
Inside the Algerian Hostage Standoff|Jamie Dettmer|January 19, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Custer was played as a cliché of grit and courage, jaw clenched with resolve as he fought to the bitter end.
Larry McMurtry on the Villainous Custer and the Myths of the West|Nick Romeo|November 17, 2012|DAILY BEAST

I deliberately ignored all the warning voices inside me and enjoyed the time by his side almost until the bitter end.
Secrets of Nazi Secretaries|Andrew Roberts|August 30, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Literally, to the very, very bitter end, even if it took her five hours to get ready, she would do it.
Life After ‘Entourage’|Marlow Stern|August 18, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Harney still lay on the bed, motionless and with fixed eyes, as though following his vision to its bitter end.
Summer|Edith Wharton
“Now listen to this, girls,” said Puddy, who was intent on reading her excerpts to the bitter end.
The Gentle Art of Cooking Wives|Elizabeth Strong Worthington
But there were ugly people in the world, who began ugly, and went on being ugly to the bitter end.
The Open Question|Elizabeth Robins
But they are deaf and blind to the things of God; so the awful indictment must proceed to the bitter end.
Expositor's Bible: The Gospel of Matthew|John Monro Gibson
Florence then came out, and we left those two to fight it out to the bitter end.
The Sportswoman's Library, v. 2|Various

British Dictionary definitions for bitter end

bitter end

noun

nautical the end of a line, chain, or cable, esp the end secured in the chain locker of a vessel

to the bitter end until the finish of a task, job, or undertaking, however unpleasant or difficult
until final defeat or death

Word Origin for bitter end

C19: in both senses perhaps from bitt

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with 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]

bitter end

Origin of bitter end

Words nearby bitter end

Words related to bitter end

How to use bitter end in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for bitter end

Word Origin for bitter end

Other Idioms and Phrases with bitter end