Last Straw for Dummies
noun
pronunciation: læst_strɔWhat does Last Straw really mean?
Last Straw is an idiomatic expression that we use to describe a situation when something small or minor becomes the final breaking point or the last in a series of things that have happened. It's like when you have a stack of hay and you keep adding one straw after another, and then, suddenly, that one last straw placed on top of the stack causes it to collapse. It's that one thing that pushes us over the edge, makes us feel frustrated, irritated, or even angry.
Let me give you an example that might help you understand it better. Imagine you have been working really hard on a project for a long time, putting in a lot of effort, and you are almost done. But then, suddenly, your computer crashes, and all your hard work disappears. That computer crash may be the "last straw" that makes you feel extremely upset and helpless. It's not just the computer crash itself; it's the fact that it happened after all your hard work, and it feels like too much to handle. That's when we say, "The computer crash was the last straw."
So, "last straw" is an expression that signifies the final event, situation, or occurrence that causes someone to reach a breaking point or feel a strong negative emotion. It's like the tipping point, where everything that has built up inside someone's mind or emotions becomes too much, and that one last thing becomes the ultimate trigger.
Another example could be when you have been very patient with your little sister or brother, and they have been misbehaving all day, bothering you, and not listening to your requests. You keep trying to be understanding, but then they accidentally spill a glass of juice all over your favorite book or toy. That accidental spill could be the "last straw" that makes you lose your patience and get really angry, even though it was a small thing. It becomes the last thing you can tolerate.
Do you think you understand the meaning of "last straw" now? Can you give me an example of when you felt like something was the last straw for you?
Revised and Fact checked by Nicole Thomas on 2023-10-29 00:47:10
Last Straw In a sentece
Learn how to use Last Straw inside a sentece
- Amy had been annoyed with her little brother's behavior all day, but when he accidentally spilled juice all over her favorite book, it was the last straw.
- After weeks of being late and forgetting assignments, Brad's teacher gave him one final warning - any further slacking off would be the last straw and result in expulsion.
- Tom had been working long hours and dealing with constant criticism at his job. When his boss unfairly blamed him for a mistake he didn't make, it was the last straw and he decided to quit.
- Lisa had been steadily gaining weight over the years, and when she found out that her favorite jeans no longer fit, it was the last straw - she immediately signed up for a gym membership.
- Sarah had been hoping for some quality family time during the weekend, but her parents spent the entire time glued to their phones. When they canceled their plans with her without any explanation, it was the last straw and she confronted them about their constant distraction.
Last Straw Hypernyms
Words that are more generic than the original word.