PhrasesHub

The bitter end

    Definitions

      • discourage someone
        Advise against engaging in a particular activity or task, cautioning that it will not result in any positive outcome or benefit

      • perseverance
        To describe someone's commitment to continue something until the very end, despite difficulties or challenges

    Examples of The bitter end

    • She clung to the bitter end, refusing to accept his apology.

      This idiom means that the person is stubbornly sticking to a negative situation or decision, even when it's clear that it's not working out. In this example, the woman is unwilling to forgive the man, despite his apology.

    • The company's finances had reached the bitter end, leaving them with no choice but to file for bankruptcy.

      This idiom refers to a situation that has reached its worst possible outcome. The company's financial situation has become so dire that they have no other option but to declare bankruptcy.

    • Their relationship had reached the bitter end after years of strife and miscommunication.

      This idiom means that a relationship has reached its breaking point, with both parties so unhappy and disconnected that they can't continue indefinitely. In this example, the couple's relationship has deteriorated to the point that they have reached the point of no return, with no other option but to end the relationship.

    • The negotiation came to a bitter end as the two parties failed to find common ground.

      This idiom refers to a diplomatic or business disagreement that has reached an impasse. The parties involved have been unable to come to a resolution, leaving the negotiation unresolved.

    • She refused to compromise any further and insisted on seeing the situation through to the bitter end.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where someone is determined to persevere until it has reached its natural conclusion, even if it is difficult or painful. In this example, the speaker is describing a person who will not give up or make concessions, even if it means suffering through a difficult or uncertain outcome. The phrase "through to the bitter end" highlights the potential for hardship or unpleasantness that may arise during this process.

    • After weeks of uncertainty, the athletes pushed themselves to the bitter end, determined to win the championship.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where someone is enduring great effort or difficult circumstances in order to achieve a desired outcome. In this example, the speaker is describing a group of athletes who are exerting a tremendous amount of energy and perseverance in order to win a championship, even in the face of adversity or uncertainty.

    • The country's economy stumbled and fell, leaving many citizens struggling to make ends meet. The government vowed to stick it out to the bitter end, refusing to bail out the failing institutions.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where a person or organization has made a decision to persist, even in the face of significant difficulty or disadvantage. In this example, the speaker is describing a government that has decided to allow a struggling economy to play out to its natural conclusion, rather than intervene with financial support.

    • After months of negotiation, the two parties finally reached a resolution. But the lawyers were not satisfied; they demanded that the agreement be taken to the bitter end, concluded only after all avenues for appeal were exhausted.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where someone is insisting on pursuing a course of action to its absolute conclusion, even if it seems unnecessary or counterproductive. In this example, the speaker is describing lawyers who are pressuring for a deal to be ironclad, and are forcing all parties involved to go through a lengthy and possibly unnecessary appeal process. This is done to protect their clients' interests, even if it means causing additional strain or expense.


    Conclusion

    "The bitter end" can be used to caution someone against pursuing a futile endeavor or to highlight someone's unwavering determination to see something through to the very end, no matter how difficult it may be.

    Origin of "The bitter end"

    The origin of the idiom "the bitter end" can be traced back to nautical terminology. In sailing, the "bitter end" refers to the end of a rope that is secured to the bitts, which are heavy posts on a ship used for securing ropes. When a sailor is letting out a rope, they would reach the "bitter end," which is the point where there is no more rope left to let out. If the rope was being let out in an emergency or in a dangerous situation, reaching the "bitter end" could mean a dire situation, hence the association with bitterness.

    Over time, the term "the bitter end" came to be used figuratively to describe reaching the very end of a difficult or challenging situation, and the connotations of bitterness and difficulty have persisted in the modern usage of the idiom.