last straw

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "last straw" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the final event or issue that causes someone to reach their limit of patience or tolerance. Example: "After months of delays and excuses, the missed deadline was the last straw for the project manager."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Last week's events were the last straw".

The Guardian

Last year's disastrous election should have been the last straw.

Huffington Post

Last straw... Out".

Independent

The last straw?

The New York Times

Are Children the Last Straw?

The New York Times

That was the last straw.

The New York Times

It's the last straw.

The Guardian - Opinion

Then the last straw.

The Guardian - Opinion

For me this was the last straw.

The New York Times

That apparently was the last straw.

The New York Times - Sports

Activists considered this the last straw.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "last straw" to describe the single, seemingly minor event that finally causes someone to react strongly after a series of previous issues. It often implies that the reaction is disproportionate to the final event alone.

Common error

Avoid using "last straw" for a single, isolated major event. The phrase implies a series of preceding issues that have gradually increased pressure.

Linguistic Context

The idiom "last straw" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies the ultimate factor that causes someone to reach their limit, as seen in Ludwig's examples like, "That was the "last straw"" or "It's the "last straw"."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "last straw" is a grammatically sound and frequently used idiom to describe the breaking point in a situation after a series of prior problems. Ludwig AI confirms it as correct and usable. It is most commonly found in neutral contexts such as news and media. When using the phrase, remember that it implies a buildup of issues, not just a single isolated event. Consider alternatives like "final blow" or "breaking point" for slightly different nuances. The usage of the expression is very common in well-regarded publications like The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

final blow

Focuses on the impact as a damaging action, rather than the culmination of smaller issues.

breaking point

Emphasizes the limit of one's endurance or tolerance.

the final straw

A slightly more emphatic way to refer to it, stresses the conclusive nature of the event

the straw that broke the camel's back

A longer, more descriptive version of the idiom, highlighting the accumulated burden.

enough is enough

Highlights a declaration of limits being reached, showing the reaction.

limit reached

States more directly the fact that the limit of allowance has been surpassed.

the end of the line

This connotes that patience has run out and tolerance has reached its conclusion

point of no return

This evokes a situation where further tolerance or forgiveness is impossible.

final burden

Implies the last in a series of difficulties that results in total collapse or failure.

the last thing I can take

This indicates the utter exhaustion of patience with something that can be tolerated no longer.

FAQs

How can I use "last straw" in a sentence?

The phrase "last straw" is used to describe a final, often small, problem in a series of problems that makes someone decide that they can no longer accept a situation. For example, "The constant delays were frustrating, but the cancelled order was the "last straw"."

What's a similar expression to "last straw"?

Similar expressions to "last straw" include "final straw", "breaking point", or "the straw that broke the camel's back". All indicate reaching a limit of tolerance.

Is it correct to say "the last straw that broke the camel's back"?

While "the straw that broke the camel's back" and "last straw" are commonly used idioms, "the last straw that broke the camel's back" is somewhat redundant. The phrase "last straw" is already shorthand for the longer idiom.

What's the difference between "last straw" and "tipping point"?

"Last straw" refers to the final event that causes someone to lose patience or reach a limit, while "tipping point" refers to a moment when a situation changes irreversibly, often on a larger scale. The "last straw" is personal, while the tipping point is often systemic.