Phrase guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
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noun
That part of an anchor cable which is abaft the bitts and thus remains inboard when a ship is riding at anchor.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: nautical, transport
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
The final six fathoms (11 m) of anchor chain before the point of attachment in the chain locker of modern US naval vessels.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: nautical, transport
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
The end of a long and difficult process.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: idiomatic
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
(nautical) the inboard end of a line or cable especially the end that is wound around a bitt
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: end, terminal
noun
the final extremity (however unpleasant it may be)
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: extremity
History
The figurative usage is influenced by bitter (“unpleasant, arduous”). Indeed, the phrase has been reinterpreted by most today as bitter + end—compare bitter cold.
Across languages
3 source translations are retained for this English entry.
