What it means
It means sticking with something right up to the final scrap of it, even when it's turned grim, boring, awkward, or mildly soul-sapping. You use it when nobody bailed and you saw the whole circus through, whether that was loyalty, stubbornness, or sheer bloody-mindedness. It often has that weary little glow of commitment with your jaw set.
Usage examples
"We stayed at Dave’s house party till the bitter end, sipping warm lager, then got roped into stacking chairs while everyone else legged it."
"The film was three hours of misery but we stayed to the bitter end, mostly to get our money’s worth."
"She fought that parking ticket to the bitter end, three letters and a tribunal, all over twelve pounds."
"We watched that cursed karaoke night to the bitter end, and by closing time Kev was doing Bon Jovi with one shoe off."
"I said I was only popping in for one drink, then stayed to the bitter end and ended up helping the landlord drag the bins back in."
Where it comes from
It comes from sailing. The bitter end was the last part of an anchor cable, the bit secured to the bitts on deck. If the line ran out to the bitter end, you'd reached the absolute limit. From there it washed into everyday English for carrying on until there's nothing left to give.
Other ways to say it
Editors of this term
Murmuring Brook Sleepyhead Official watcher of this expression
Tell me, what have you got for me?