bit·ter1 /ˈbɪtə $ -ər/ ●●○ S3 W3 adjectiveadj 1 ANGRY/UPSETANGRYfeeling angry, jealous, and upset because you think you have been treated unfairly 愤愤不平的,充满怨恨的 → bitterlybitter about I feel very bitter about it. 我对此非常不满。
a bitter old man 一个满腹怨恨的老人
2 CAUSING UNHAPPINESS[only before noun]UNPLEASANT making you feel very unhappy and upset 带来痛苦的,令人难过的 → bitterlya bitter disappointment/blow If he failed, it would be a bitter disappointment to his parents. 如果他不成功,他父母会伤心失望。
His photo stirred up bitter memories. 他的照片勾起了痛苦的回忆。
from bitter experience (=because of your own very unpleasant experiences) 因为痛苦的经历 She knew from bitter experience that it would be impossible to talk it over with Julian. 过去痛苦的经历告诉她,这事没法和朱利安商量。
3 FULL OF HATREDHATEa bitter argument, battle etc is one in which people oppose or criticize each other with strong feelings of hate and anger 〔争论、战斗等〕激烈的,充满敌意的,怨愤的bitter dispute/battle/struggle etc The couple are locked in a bitter battle for custody of the children. 夫妻俩为争夺孩子的监护权闹得不可开交。
The government faces bitter opposition to these policies. 政府的这些政策遭到了激烈的反对。
The countries are still bitter enemies. 这些国家彼此依然是死敌。
4 TASTECThaving a strong sharp taste, like black coffee without sugar 苦的,有苦味的 → sour, sweet Enjoy the beer’s bitter taste as you slowly drink it. 慢慢地喝这啤酒,细细品尝它的苦味。
► see thesaurus at taste 5 COLDDNCOLDunpleasantly cold 刺骨的,寒冷的 → bitterly the bitter cold of the Midwestern winters 中西部地区冬季的严寒
6 to the bitter end FINISH/COME TO AN ENDcontinuing until the end, even though this is difficult 坚持到底;拼到底 Employees have vowed to fight the closure to the bitter end. 雇员们誓死抗争到底,坚决抵制关闭企业。
to the bitter end• Campaigners vowed to carry on the struggle to the bitter end.• Despite his injury, Johnson carried on playing on to the bitter end.• But a promise is a promise and we have to pursue this thing to the bitter end.• Do I intend to campaign to the bitter end?• He at least was ready to slug it out to the bitter end.• I stayed to the bitter end.• Master Yehudi always won, and he went on winning to the bitter end.• He would fight my case to the bitter end, he vowed.• Hereford left it to the bitter end to secure their 1-1 draw.• They vowed to fight to the bitter end to stop it. 7 a bitter pill (to swallow) UNPLEASANTsomething very unpleasant that you must accept 必须吞下去的苦药丸,不得不接受的现实 The knowledge that his friends no longer trusted him was a bitter pill to swallow. 得知朋友不再信任他,他很难接受。
—bitterness noun [uncountableU]
n COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 3: a bitter argument, battle etc is one in which people oppose or criticize each other with strong feelings of hate and angernounsa bitter battle/disputeThere was a bitter battle over the building of the new airport.
a bitter fight/struggleThe law was passed after a bitter fight that lasted nearly a decade.
a bitter conflictThe stage is set for a bitter conflict with trade unions.
a bitter debate/argumentThe country now faces a bitter debate over the issue.
bitter disagreementThere were reports of bitter disagreement between the European Communities.
bitter oppositionThe new tax aroused bitter opposition.
a bitter rival/enemy (=a rival/enemy who you have strong feelings of dislike or anger about)The two men are bitter rivals for the party leadership.
n THESAURUSbitter having a strong sharp taste that is not sweet, like black coffee without sugar – used especially about chocolate, medicine etcThe dessert is made with a slightly bitter chocolate.
Hops give beer its distinctive bitter taste.
The medicine tasted bitter.
As the lettuce gets older, the leaves become more bitter.
sharp having a taste that makes your tongue sting slightlyRhubarb has quite a sharp taste.
The cheese has a pleasing colour and a pleasantly sharp flavour.
sour having a usually unpleasant sharp acid taste, like the taste of a lemon, or a fruit that is not ready to be eaten – used especially about fruit, or about liquids that have gone badSome people say that the purpose of the lemon’s sour taste is to stop the fruit being eaten by animals.
Rachel sampled the wine. It was sour.
acidic very sour – used especially about liquids or things made with fruits such as oranges, lemons, or grapesSome fruit juices taste a bit acidic.
tangy having a taste that is pleasantly strong or sharp, and that often tastes a little sweet as wellThe ribs are cooked in a tangy barbecue sauce.
tart having a taste that lacks sweetness – used especially about fruit such as apples, which you need to add sugar toThe pudding had rather a tart flavour.
The trees were covered with tart wild plums.