bitter end

US: (bit′ər end′ for 1; bit′ər end′ for 2)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

ˈbit•ter ˈend, n. [countable* usually singular]

1. the conclusion of a difficult situation:
   stayed with him until the bitter end.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

bit•ter end  (bit′ər end′ for 1; bit′ər 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. Naval Terms [Naut.]
   • , Nautical, Naval Terms the inboard end of an anchor chain or cable, secured in the chain locker of a vessel.
   • , Nautical, Naval Terms the end of any chain or cable.

• probably bitt + er¹, later taken as bitter 1620–30 in form bitters end

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

bitter end noun

1. the end of a line, chain, or cable, esp the end secured in the chain locker of a vessel
2. to the bitter end ⇒ until the finish of a task, job, or undertaking, however unpleasant or difficult
3. until final defeat or death

Etymology: 19th Century: in both senses perhaps from bitt