bitter end

== English == === Etymology === The figurative usage is influenced by bitter (“unpleasant, arduous”). Indeed, the phrase has been reinterpreted by most today as bitter + end—compare bitter cold. === Pronunciation === === Noun === bitter end (plural bitter ends) (nautical) That part of an anchor cable which is abaft the bitts and thus remains inboard when a ship is riding at anchor. pay out a rope to the bitter end (pay out all of the rope) (nautical) The final six fathoms (11 m) of anchor chain before the point of attachment in the chain locker of modern US naval vessels. (idiomatic) The end of a long and difficult process. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== bitts ==== Translations ==== === See also === Appendix:Parts of the knot fight to the finish last gasp the end of one's rope until the bitter end to the bitter end to the bitter end and beyond === Anagrams === berndtite