the last straw
The final problem that makes a situation unbearable
直訳: The final piece of dried grass
Use it when a small annoyance finally makes you quit or lose your temper after many previous problems.
15秒でわかる
- The final small problem in a series of many problems.
- The moment your patience finally runs out completely.
- Used to justify a big reaction to a small event.
意味
Imagine you are carrying a huge pile of heavy boxes. If someone adds one tiny, light feather and you fall over, that feather is 'the last straw.' It is the final small problem that makes you lose your patience completely.
主な例文
3 / 6Quitting a job
My boss yelled at me for being two minutes late, and that was the last straw.
My boss yelled at me for being two minutes late, and that was the final problem I could handle.
Texting a friend about a bad date
He was late, he forgot his wallet, and then he insulted my dog. That was the last straw!
He did many bad things, and insulting my dog was the final straw.
At a restaurant with bad service
The cold soup was the last straw; we are leaving and not paying.
The cold soup was the final mistake that made us leave.
文化的背景
The phrase originates from a 17th-century proverb about overloading animals. It became widely popular in the mid-1800s, notably appearing in Charles Dickens' writings. It reflects a cultural understanding of 'the breaking point'—the idea that even small burdens can become unbearable if they accumulate.
The 'That's it!' Connection
In casual speech, people often say 'That's it!' immediately before saying 'the last straw.' It adds extra emphasis to your frustration.
Don't use it for big things
If something huge happens (like a car accident), don't call it 'the last straw.' It sounds like you are downplaying the disaster. It's for small things that add up.
15秒でわかる
- The final small problem in a series of many problems.
- The moment your patience finally runs out completely.
- Used to justify a big reaction to a small event.
What It Means
The last straw is that one tiny problem that finally breaks you. It is usually something small. On its own, it would not be a big deal. But it comes after a long line of other annoying things. When this happens, you cannot take it anymore. You react, quit, or get angry. It is the moment your patience runs out.
How To Use It
You usually use it with the verb to be. You might say, "That was the last straw!" You can also use the full version: "The straw that broke the camel's back." Use it when you want to explain why you are finally making a big change. It helps people understand that you aren't just overreacting to one thing. You are reacting to a whole history of problems.
When To Use It
Use this when you are quitting a job after months of bad bosses. Use it when a friend cancels plans for the tenth time in a row. It works great in a meeting when a project keeps failing. You can even use it while texting a friend about a bad date. If the person was rude all night and then forgot your name? That is the last straw.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for a single, massive disaster. If your house floods, that is just a tragedy, not a straw. It must be the end of a sequence. Also, avoid using it in very happy situations. You would not say a delicious dessert was the last straw that made your day perfect. It is almost always about frustration or negative pressure.
Cultural Background
This idiom comes from an old proverb about a camel. People used to say, "It is the last straw that breaks the camel's back." It reminds us that even the strongest people have a limit. In Western culture, we value patience. However, we also believe everyone has a 'breaking point.' This phrase is the perfect way to signal you have reached yours. It is a very common way to justify a big reaction.
Common Variations
You will often hear people just say, "That’s it! The last straw." Some people might use the full "camel's back" version to sound more dramatic. In the UK, you might hear the final straw. They all mean the exact same thing. It is all about that one tiny bit of extra weight that ruins everything.
使い方のコツ
The phrase is highly versatile and fits into almost any conversation where frustration is being expressed. It is neutral in formality, making it safe for both the office and the pub. Just ensure there is a 'series' of events preceding it to make it logical.
The 'That's it!' Connection
In casual speech, people often say 'That's it!' immediately before saying 'the last straw.' It adds extra emphasis to your frustration.
Don't use it for big things
If something huge happens (like a car accident), don't call it 'the last straw.' It sounds like you are downplaying the disaster. It's for small things that add up.
The Camel Connection
If you want to sound more poetic or dramatic, use the full version: 'The straw that broke the camel's back.' It's a bit old-fashioned but very effective!
例文
6My boss yelled at me for being two minutes late, and that was the last straw.
My boss yelled at me for being two minutes late, and that was the final problem I could handle.
The yelling was the final event in a long history of bad treatment.
He was late, he forgot his wallet, and then he insulted my dog. That was the last straw!
He did many bad things, and insulting my dog was the final straw.
The dog insult was the specific point where the person decided not to see him again.
The cold soup was the last straw; we are leaving and not paying.
The cold soup was the final mistake that made us leave.
Implies there were many other mistakes before the soup arrived.
I can handle the dirty dishes, but using my toothbrush was the last straw!
I can tolerate dishes, but the toothbrush was the final limit.
Uses the phrase to show a clear boundary was crossed.
I tried to make it work, but his lying again was the last straw.
I tried, but his latest lie was the final reason to end it.
Shows a deep emotional breaking point.
The computer crashed while I was saving; that's the last straw, I'm buying a new one.
The crash was the final problem that made me decide to buy a new computer.
Shows frustration with a recurring technical issue.
自分をテスト
Choose the best word to complete the idiom.
I was already having a bad day, but losing my keys was the last ___.
The correct idiom is 'the last straw,' referring to the final burden that breaks a camel's back.
Identify the correct context for this phrase.
Which situation fits 'the last straw' best?
The phrase requires a series of negative events leading up to a final breaking point.
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ビジュアル学習ツール
Formality of 'The Last Straw'
Used with friends or family when complaining.
Ugh, that's the last straw!
Standard use in workplaces or daily life.
The delay was the last straw for the clients.
Rare but possible in professional writing.
This incident proved to be the last straw in our partnership.
When to say 'The Last Straw'
Bad Service
Wrong order after a long wait.
Work Stress
One more task on a busy Friday.
Friendship
Being stood up for the third time.
Technology
Phone dying during an important call.
よくある質問
10 問It refers to the final minor problem in a series of problems that makes a person lose their patience. It is the moment you decide you cannot handle the situation anymore.
It isn't inherently rude, but it expresses strong frustration. If you say it to someone's face, like You are the last straw, it is very confrontational.
Yes, it is common in professional settings to describe why a project or partnership is ending. For example, The missed deadline was the last straw for the board.
No, you don't! Most people just say the last straw. The camel is understood as part of the background of the idiom.
There is no difference in meaning. The last straw is slightly more common in American English, while the final straw is frequently used in British English.
Usually, an action or an event is the straw, not a person. You wouldn't say He is my last straw, but you could say His behavior was the last straw.
It is usually used as a noun phrase after the verb 'to be'. For example: That was the last straw or It proved to be the last straw.
No, it is a standard idiom. It is understood by almost all English speakers and is appropriate for most levels of conversation.
No, it is almost exclusively used for negative or annoying situations. You wouldn't use it to describe a series of good surprises.
A common mistake is using it for the *first* problem that happens. Remember, it must be the *last* in a long line of issues.
関連フレーズ
The breaking point
To reach the end of one's rope
The straw that broke the camel's back
Enough is enough
To blow a fuse
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