Last Straw

A final, often minor, problem that causes a complete failure or breakdown after a buildup of other issues.

Examples:

  • Dropping the coffee was the last straw — you've been messing everything up for months.
  • The missed deadline was the last straw that ended the agency relationship.

Origin: From the proverb 'it is the last straw that breaks the camel's back.'

Synonyms: final straw, the straw that broke the camel, ,