the straw that broke the camel's back
English
Alternative forms
- the stroke that broke the camel's back
Etymology
Possibly from the proverb, recorded by Thomas Fuller in his Gnomologia as "Tis the last feather that breaks the horse's back." This comes from an Arab proverb about loading up a camel beyond its capacity to move.
Pronunciation
Audio (AU) (file)
Noun
the straw that broke the camel’s back
- (idiomatic) A small and seemingly insignificant addition to a burden that renders it too much to bear; the small thing which causes failure, or causes inability or unwillingness to endure any more of something.
- 1848, Charles Dickens, Dombey and Son:
- As the last straw breaks the laden camel's back.
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Derived terms
- final straw
- last straw
Translations
small additional burden which causes failure
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