bitter end

The phrase "bitter end" has nautical origins but is also commonly used idiomatically to describe enduring a difficult situation until its conclusion.

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Definition

B2Idiomatic

(common)The final part of a difficult or prolonged process.

Example

  • They fought until the bitter end, refusing to surrender.
  • She saw the project through to the bitter end, despite the challenges.

C1Nautical

(technical, historical)The end of an anchor cable that is secured within the ship.

Example

  • The crew secured the bitter end of the anchor rope to the bitts.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "bitter end":

the end of one's ropeother enddead endend of the lineend offon endthe endtail endloose endsharp endend pieceno endlast wordin the end