{Bitter end}, that part of a cable which is abaft the bitts, and so within board, when the ship rides at anchor. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
bitter end — In lexicons of sea language going back to 1759, the bitter end is the part of a cable which is round about the bits (two great timbers used to belay cables) when the ship is at anchor. Bitter end of the Cable, the End which is wound about the… … Etymology dictionary
Bitter end — can refer to: *The part of a rope that is tied off. See knot#Components. *An expression the final stage, often death. *The Bitter End, club in New York City. *The Bitter End (song), a song by alternative rock band Placebo. *The Bitter End… … Wikipedia
bitter end — n. [archaic bitter, turn of cable about a bitt] Naut. the inboard end of a rope, cable, or chain to the bitter end [so called because with the cable out to the bitter end, no freedom of action remains; meaning infl. by BITTER, adj. 2] 1. until… … English World dictionary
bitter end — If you do something to the bitter end, you do it to the very end, no matter how unsuccessful you are … The small dictionary of idiomes
Bitter End — Allgemeine Informationen Genre(s) Thrash Metal Gründung 1985 Auflösung 1992 Neugründung 2011 Websit … Deutsch Wikipedia
bitter end — noun 1. the final extremity (however unpleasant it may be) (Freq. 2) he was determined to fight to the bitter end • Hypernyms: ↑extremity 2. (nautical) the inboard end of a line or cable especially the end that is wound around a bitt • Topics: ↑ … Useful english dictionary
bitter end — /bɪtər ˈɛnd/ (say bituhr end) noun 1. Nautical the extreme inboard end of a cable or rope, originally secured to a bitt. –phrase 2. to the bitter end, to the very end (usually of something difficult or unpleasant): they fought to the bitter end.… …
bitter end — /bit euhr end / for 1; /bit euhr end / for 2 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. Naut. a. the… … Universalium
bitter end — noun a) that part of an anchor cable which is abaft the bitts and thus remains inboard when a ship is riding at anchor Note: To pay out a rope to the bitter end means to pay it all out b) The end of a long and difficult process … Wiktionary
bitter end — If you do something to the bitter end, you do it to the very end, no matter how unsuccessful you are. (Dorking School Dictionary) … English Idioms & idiomatic expressions
