the last straw
/ðə ˌlɑːst ˈstrɔː/NEUTRAL · B2
Meaning
the final problem that makes a situation impossible to accept
Examples
- 1The broken heating was the last straw, so we started looking for a new flat.
- 2When the train was cancelled again, that was the last straw for Priya.
- 3After months of late deliveries, the missing order was the last straw and we changed suppliers.
- 4Tom had put up with the noise for a year, but Sunday's party was the last straw.
- 5Is the new parking fee the last straw for you, or will you keep driving into town?
Grammar
Keep the. It usually follows be, often with for and the person: was the last straw for her. the final straw is also used.
Similar in meaning
More idioms about problems and trouble
All 20 idioms and the topic quiz →get to the bottom ofto find out the real cause of something or the truth about itthe tip of the iceberga small visible part of a much larger problembe asking for troubleto act in a way that will probably cause problems for youmake a mountain out of a molehillto treat a small difficulty as if it were seriousa storm in a teacupa lot of anger or worry about something unimportantnip something in the budto stop a problem at an early stage before it grows
English Idioms400 idioms in 20 topics — with reviews that keep them from fading
Here you get a couple of questions. The app gives you 16 practice modes, native equivalents and spaced repetition that tells you when it’s time to refresh.
