Bitter end?

Bitter end?

• A. The middle of the line
• B. The end near the anchor
• C. The standing part
• D. The working end or free end of the line; normally the part of the line you will work with

Answer: (D)

The bitter end is the part of a rope you actually work with—the free or working end that you grasp to form knots, lashings, or tucks. It’s the end you control as you manipulate the line, while the standing part is the portion anchored or fixed to a cleat, mast, or anchor and doesn’t move. The end near the anchor is not the bitter end itself, though you may secure the bitter end to something to keep it from running. The middle of the line isn’t an end, so it isn’t the bitter end either. So the best description is that the bitter end is the working/free end of the line—the part you will work with.

The bitter end is the part of a rope you actually work with—the free or working end that you grasp to form knots, lashings, or tucks. It’s the end you control as you manipulate the line, while the standing part is the portion anchored or fixed to a cleat, mast, or anchor and doesn’t move. The end near the anchor is not the bitter end itself, though you may secure the bitter end to something to keep it from running. The middle of the line isn’t an end, so it isn’t the bitter end either. So the best description is that the bitter end is the working/free end of the line—the part you will work with.