the last straw
/ðə læst strɔː/
Meaning
This expression refers to the final minor irritation, setback, or problem in a series of difficulties that makes a situation completely unbearable or causes someone to lose their patience. It comes from the proverb 'it is the last straw that breaks the camel's back.'
Examples
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I've tolerated his late reports for months, but showing up two hours late to the client meeting was the last straw.
I've tolerated his late reports for months, but showing up two hours late to the client meeting was the last straw.
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When the landlord refused to fix the heating again, that was the last straw; we decided to move out.
When the landlord refused to fix the heating again, that was the last straw; we decided to move out.
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The car had engine trouble and a flat tire, but the broken air conditioner was the last straw.
The car had engine trouble and a flat tire, but the broken air conditioner was the last straw.
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She was already stressed, so losing her keys on the way out was the last straw that made her cry.
She was already stressed, so losing her keys on the way out was the last straw that made her cry.
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My computer crashing right before I saved the document was the last straw for me today.
My computer crashing right before I saved the document was the last straw for me today.
Common Mistakes
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✗ That was my final straw.
✓ That was the last straw.
While 'final' means the same as 'last,' the standard idiom always uses 'the last straw.'
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✗ His rude comment was a last straw.
✓ His rude comment was the last straw.
Because it refers to a specific, unique final event in a sequence, it requires the definite article 'the.'
Related Expressions
Practice
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I tried to be patient, but when he lied to me again, that was ___.
💡 The final annoyance that made me lose my patience completely.
Show answer
the last straw
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The constant noise from the construction next door was bad enough, but the power outage was ___.
💡 The final setback in a series of bad events.
Show answer
the last straw