0 until something is finished
1 to the end of something difficult that will likely have a bad ending:
I mean to go through this business to the bitter end—whatever it may be.
I was determined to fight to the bitter end any measure for war.
The official mind remained determined to the bitter end to preserve the symmetry of the promotion pyramid.
In the face of a violent liberation movement, they would probably have fought to the bitter end.
The issuing of such ' acts of grace ' was also tantamount to royal denial of the formal prerogatives of owners to pursue cases to the bitter end through the courts.