To The Bitter End
A phrase we still use today.
It means sticking with something all the way.
No matter how tough it gets.
But its origins are firmly maritime.
At sea, the bitter end isn’t poetic. It’s practical.
It refers to the very end of an anchor or mooring line, the part secured to the bitts. The heavy posts on deck designed to take enormous strain.
On large vessels using anchor chains, the bitter end is intentionally designed to break. A last line of defence. So a runaway anchor doesn’t rip the ship apart.
So next time you hear someone say they’ll see something through to the bitter end, remember where it came from.
Sometimes, sticking it out is about knowing when to hold fast.
And when to let go.
The Maritime Origins Series
Maritime Origins is a storytelling series created by Jason Nangle, Founder of Angle Recruitment, a global maritime recruitment and executive search firm.
The series explores the fascinating history behind everyday phrases that originated at sea, as well as the remarkable stories, traditions and characters that have shaped maritime culture.
Many sayings still used today were first spoken by sailors navigating the challenges of life on board ships. Alongside these phrase origins, the series also highlights lesser-known maritime stories, legends and historical moments from the world of shipping.
Through short stories and visual posts, Maritime Origins connects the language, heritage and traditions of seafarers with the modern maritime industry.
New posts in the series launch every Tuesday on LinkedIn and are then shared across other platforms including Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and X. Follow
Jason Nangle on LinkedIn and Angle Recruitment across your preferred social platforms.
Sounding someone out: the leadsman's weighted line, the tallow that read the seabed, how Mark Twain got his name, and why an interview answer is half the story.
The golden rivet: the shipyard wind up that sent every new hand into the bilges, the Royal Navy's ruder version, and the hidden talent recruiters actually find.
Where "son of a gun" really comes from: babies born between the cannons on Royal Navy gun decks. The history, the fun facts and why it now means grit.
