bitter line

USAGE SUMMARY

'bitter line' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase as a metaphor to describe a difficult situation, especially one that has caused sadness or resentment. For example: "The long-awaited announcement of layoffs at the factory was a bitter line that no one wanted to cross."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The titles render one bitter line as: "He says, 'Make me laugh, funnyman,' and I have to do what he says".

The New York Times - Arts

The provincial motto, emblazoned on every car's number plate, is "Je me souviens" (I remember)—an allusion to a poem with the bitter line, "I remember that I was born under the fleur-de-lis and grew up under the rose".

The Economist

Alvarez elicited talk-show-style audience participation when he announced that Plath "got the easy out" with her suicide (loud hissing), as did the critic Bonnie Costello, who wondered aloud what Plath would have made of the symposium, and read a bitter line from Plath's poem "Lady Lazarus": "Do not think I underestimate your great concern".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

These short, bitter lines pulse with the pain and fracture from the other other America, the darkest side of the underbelly.

The New York Times - Books

This is softening the shell and will enable you to extract the nut easily without a trace of the bitter lining of the nut.

WikiHow

It is an increasingly bitter fault line running down the centre of our society, pitting public against private, the intrinsic against the instrumental, the economic against the human.

The Guardian

The title track is an orgy of self- and non-self-loathing, building to a bitter punch line: "My father didn't give a fuck, / so it's something I inherit.

The New Yorker

The bitter bottom line of the Columbia disaster comes down to this: NASA never absorbed the lessons of the Challenger explosion in 1986, and four successive American presidents never decided where America's space program should head after the cold war -- and what it would cost in dollars and risk to human life to get there.

The New York Times

The river is called Ouaka, and it has morphed from the life source of the fishing and farming community to a bitter dividing line.

Huffington Post

There are songs about bitter compromise; lines about dentures, about old boys repeating themselves.

The Guardian - Music

Meanwhile, he has been finding more comedy in his tales of human folly, though it's comedy with calamity, deterioration and death as bitter punch lines.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bitter line" to describe a boundary or limit that causes pain or resentment. For example, "The new policy created a bitter line between management and employees."

Common error

Avoid using "bitter line" to describe something pleasant or positive. The phrase inherently carries a negative connotation. Use alternatives like "strong delineation" or "clear boundary" in neutral scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bitter line" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective 'bitter' modifies the noun 'line.' It typically acts as a subject complement or an object in a sentence, describing something that causes conflict or resentment. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bitter line" functions as a noun phrase used to describe a source of conflict or division associated with negative emotions. It is grammatically correct and has a neutral register, suitable for news and formal writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is correctly used in written English. While not extremely common, "bitter line" effectively conveys resentment and pain. Related phrases include "point of conflict" and "source of animosity", offering alternative ways to express similar sentiments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

point of conflict

Emphasizes the location or area where opposing forces meet.

contentious issue

Focuses on the disagreement or argument rather than a specific boundary or limit.

divisive factor

Highlights the element that causes separation or disagreement.

bone of contention

Uses an idiomatic expression to describe the subject of disagreement.

source of animosity

Shifts the focus to the feeling of strong dislike or hatred.

thorny problem

Conveys the difficulty and complexity of the issue.

unhappy compromise

Highlights the dissatisfaction associated with a particular agreement.

painful decision

Focuses on the emotional distress caused by a choice.

difficult situation

Generalizes the negativity to a broader set of circumstances.

unfortunate circumstance

Downplays agency and highlights the role of chance or fate.

FAQs

How can I use "bitter line" in a sentence?

You can use "bitter line" to describe a source of conflict or division that causes pain or resentment. For example, "The border dispute has become a bitter line between the two countries."

What's the difference between "bitter line" and "dividing line"?

"Bitter line" emphasizes the negative emotions associated with the division, while "dividing line" simply indicates a separation without necessarily implying resentment.

What can I say instead of "bitter line"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "point of conflict", "source of animosity", or "bone of contention".

Is "bitter line" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "bitter line" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly when discussing conflicts, disagreements, or sources of resentment. However, be mindful of the tone and ensure it aligns with the overall context.