last straw

last straw
the last straw & the straw that broke the camel's back
the final difficulty in a series; the last little burden or problem that causes everything to collapse. (From the image of a camel being loaded down with much weight. Finally, at some point, one more straw will be too much and the camel's back will break.) •

When our best player came down sick, that was the straw that broke the camel's back. We hoped to make the playoffs, but lost all the rest of our games.

•

When she showed up late a third time, that was the straw that broke the camel's back. We had to fire her.

* * *
or[straw that breaks the camel's back] {n. phr.} A small trouble which follows other troubles and makes one lose patience and be unable to bear them. * /Bill had a bad day in school yesterday. He lost his knife on the way home, then he fell down, and when he broke a shoe lace, that was the last straw and he began to cry./ * /Mary didn't like it when the other girls said she was proud and lazy, but when they said she told fibs it was the straw that broke the camel's back and she told the teacher./

Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • last\ straw — • last straw • (it is the) last straw that breaks the camel s back n. phr. A small trouble which follows other troubles and makes one lose patience and be unable to bear them. Bill had a bad day in school yesterday. He lost his knife on the way… …   Словарь американских идиом

  • last straw — The last straw is the final problem that makes someone lose their temper or the problem that finally brought about the collapse of something. It comes from an Arabic story, where a camel was loaded with straw until a single straw placed on the… …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • last straw — last′ straw′ n. the last of a succession of irritations or troubles that leads to a loss of patience, a disaster, etc • Etymology: 1840–50; after the proverb “It is the last straw that breaks the camel s back” …   From formal English to slang

  • last straw — n. [from the last straw that broke the back of the overburdened camel in the fable] the last of a sequence of annoyances or troubles that results in a breakdown, loss of patience, etc.: with the …   English World dictionary

  • last straw — /last ˈstrɔ/ (say lahst straw) noun the culminating irritation, mishap, etc., which is followed by a strong outburst or reaction. {from the saying the last straw breaks the camel s back } …  

  • last straw — noun the final irritation that stretches your patience beyond the limit • Hypernyms: ↑aggravation, ↑irritation, ↑provocation * * * noun : the last of a series (as of events, indignities, or burdens) that brings one beyond the ultimate point of… …   Useful english dictionary

  • last straw — or[straw that breaks the camel s back] {n. phr.} A small trouble which follows other troubles and makes one lose patience and be unable to bear them. * /Bill had a bad day in school yesterday. He lost his knife on the way home, then he fell down …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • last straw —    The last straw is the final problem that makes someone lose their temper or the problem that finally brought about the collapse of something. It comes from an Arabic story, where a camel was loaded with straw until a single straw placed on the …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • last straw — the last of a succession of irritations, incidents, remarks, etc., that leads to a loss of patience, a disaster, etc.: He has been late before, but this is the last straw. [1840 50; after the proverb It is the last straw that breaks the camel s… …   Universalium

  • last straw — noun A small addition to a burden which causes it to exceed the capacity. That’s the last straw; it’s a petty demand but I’m already under too much work. I quit! Syn: final straw, the straw that broke the camels back …   Wiktionary

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