WordValethe last straw
the final problem that makes a situation unbearable
In more detail
(idiom) the final problem or annoyance in a series that makes someone lose patience and take action, when they have already dealt with many similar problems before
Examples
- When my roommate didn't do the dishes again, that was the last straw and I decided to move out.
How to use the last straw
This idiom describes a moment when accumulated frustration or grievances finally cause someone to take decisive action or lose patience. It typically appears in personal or professional contexts where someone has tolerated multiple issues before reaching their limit. It emphasizes that while each individual problem might have been manageable, the cumulative effect becomes intolerable.
Common phrases
- that was the last straw
- the last straw for someone
- be the last straw
- for me, the last straw was
Synonyms
the final straw · the straw that broke the camel's back · the breaking point · the last drop
A common mistake
Learners sometimes use this phrase to describe just a single problem or annoyance, rather than the final item in a series of problems; the idiom specifically requires that previous problems have already occurred.
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