Collocations for "bitter"
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word "bitter" in context.
WordReference English Collocations © 2025
bitter
ⓘMost examples are given in US English. We have labeled exceptions as UK.adj
- a bitter [lemon, herb, dish, fruit]
- [the lemon, this coffee] is (too) bitter
- [cocktail, drink, mixed] with bitter lemon
- the [loss, meeting] left a bitter taste in my mouth
- tastes bitter (to me)
- [rather, quite, very, mildly, a little] bitter
- [suffered, was] a bitter [disappointment, lesson, blow]
- a bitter pill (to swallow)
- they are bitter [enemies, rivals]
- bitter [words, thoughts, reactions]
- bitter about the [rejection, loss, treatment]
- bitter about (not) [having, being, seeing]
- bitter at me for my [success, innovations]
- a bitter [chill, frost, wind]
- it's bitter [outside, out there]
- take the bitter with the sweet
- UK: a [pint, glass] of bitter
- UK: order me a [pint] of bitter
- UK: could really go for a [pint] of bitter
- UK: a range of bitters and [ales, lagers, stouts]
- UK: I'll have a (pint of) bitter shandy
- the best hops for bittering
- that bittered the [dough, beer, dish]
- bittered with [lemon, vinegar, hops]
- [her mood, the atmosphere] bittered
'bitter' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):