the straw that broke the camel's back
Tipping point event
The straw that broke the camel's back is the final small burden that causes a collapse or breaking point after many others have accumulated.
The phrase captures how minor additions can trigger major consequences when capacity is already strained: I could handle the delays and the cost overruns, but losing the permit was the straw that broke the camel's back.
Often shortened to the last straw.
- last strawUltimate triggering incident
- one more thingFinal addition mentioned
- tipping pointThreshold triggering major change
- point of no returnThreshold beyond which reversal impossible
- burnoutChronic occupational depletion
overload · beast of burden · breaking point · pushed too far · boiling point · back-breaking · carrying weight · boundary · the end of one's rope · fed up · threshold · limit · too much to bear · final nail in the coffin · overwhelm · at wit's end · enough is enough · hair trigger
the straw that broke the camel's backthe elephant in the room
Obvious ignored problem