to finish no matter what obstacles or cost 1867 Smyth Sailor’s Word-bk. pg. 103 A ship is ‘brought up to a bitter’ when the cable is allowed to run out to that stop. When a chain or rope is paid out to the bitter-end, no more remains to be let go…” From another site on . . . → Read More: Nautical Term/Phrase Wednesday: To The Bitter End