the final/last straw
noun
: the last in a series of bad things that happen to make someone very upset, angry, etc.
It had been a difficult week, so when the car broke down, it was the last straw.
Examples of the final/last straw in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Was last week’s humiliation in front of Sylvi the final straw?
—
Brian Grubb, Vulture, 7 July 2024
This was the final straw for Martha, who was heartbroken over the ordeal.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024
Defeat to West Ham on Sunday was the final straw for Erik ten Hag as Manchester United with the Dutchman relieved from his position at Old Trafford less than 24 hours later.
—Graham Ruthven, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
What was the final straw that led the union to finally call a strike?
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 26 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for the final/last straw 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Brian Grubb, Vulture, 7 July 2024
This was the final straw for Martha, who was heartbroken over the ordeal.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024
Defeat to West Ham on Sunday was the final straw for Erik ten Hag as Manchester United with the Dutchman relieved from his position at Old Trafford less than 24 hours later.
—Graham Ruthven, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
What was the final straw that led the union to finally call a strike?
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 26 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for the final/last straw
Dictionary Entries Near the final/last straw
Cite this Entry
“The final/last straw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20final%2Flast%20straw. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share