bitter end

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.

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

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bitter end

n

1. (Transport / 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

[in both senses perhaps from bitt]

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 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"