Meaning: This idiom refers to the final event or problem in a series that causes someone to finally lose patience or endurance. It implies that a person has reached their limit and can no longer tolerate the situation.
Usage in Example Sentences:
- “When he missed the deadline for the third time, it was the last straw; I had to let him go.”
- “The constant noise from the construction was annoying, but the broken window was the last straw.”
- “She has been patient with his excuses for months, but forgetting their anniversary was the last straw.”
Origin: The origin of the idiom “the last straw” comes from the proverb “the straw that broke the camel’s back.” This saying suggests that a single piece of straw is light and insignificant on its own, but when added to a load of many other straws, it can become the final, seemingly small burden that makes the load unbearable and causes the camel to collapse. The phrase has been used in English since at least the 17th century and is derived from this idea, emphasizing how one small additional problem can be the tipping point in an already strained situation.
