bitter end of the cable

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• 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 — /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.… …  

• the bitter end — Meaning The limit of one s efforts. Origin Probably of nautical origin. A bitt is a bollard that cables are wound onto. The end of the cable that is fixed to the bollard is the bitter end …   Meaning and origin of phrases

• 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 — Bitter Bit ter, n. [See {Bitts}.] (Naut.) AA turn of the cable which is round the bitts. [1913 Webster] {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

• 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 — /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 — I. noun Etymology: perhaps from 2bitter end Date: 1827 the last extremity however painful or calamitous • bitter ender noun II. noun Etymology: bitter (a turn of cable around the bitts) Date: circa 1862 the inboard end of a ship s anchoring cable …   New Collegiate Dictionary

• 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

• to the bitter end — to/​until/​till the bitter end phrase continuing until the end of a particular situation or period of time, even though it is difficult or unpleasant She remained loyal to her husband to the bitter end. Thesaurus: existing or continuing for a… …   Useful english dictionary

• bitter — adj. & n. adj. 1 having a sharp pungent taste; not sweet. 2 a caused by or showing mental pain or resentment (bitter memories; bitter rejoinder). b painful or difficult to accept (bitter disappointment). 3 a harsh; virulent (bitter animosity). b… …   Useful english dictionary