straw that broke the camel's back
Tipping point trigger
The straw that broke the camel's back is the final small burden that causes a collapse—the last in a series of minor problems that together become unbearable.
The image is of loading a camel until one last straw exceeds its capacity.
Often shortened to the last straw: When she forgot my birthday, that was the last straw.
- last strawUltimate triggering incident
- consequenceResult of an action
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
- culminationHighest or final point
- chain reactionSelf-sustaining causal sequence
boiling point · breaking point · burnout · powder keg · overwhelm · weight of the world · overload · fragility · house of cards · reckoning · trigger · pressure · escalation · domino effect · strain · inflection point · exhaustion · tension
straw that broke the camel's backroot cause
Fundamental origin of problem
underlying cause · heavy lifting · driving force · primary cause · lion's share
straw that broke the camel's backdeath blow
Lethal finishing strike
coup de grâce · silver bullet · game changer · knockout blow · knockout punch
straw that broke the camel's backsaving grace
Compensating good quality
breath of fresh air · shot in the arm · lifeline · reprieve · relief valve