the straw that breaks the camel's back

A seemingly small or inconsequential issue, problem, or burden that proves to be the final catalyst in causing an overworked or overburdened person, system, organization, etc., to fail, give up, or collapse. With governmental resources already strained to the breaking point, any sort of environmental disaster would be the straw that breaks the camel's back. I was already fed up with his laziness and insensitivity, but Jim's refusal to come with me to my own mother's funeral was the straw that breaks the camel's back.

the straw that broke the camel's back

A seemingly small or inconsequential issue, problem, or burden that proved to be the final catalyst in causing an overworked or overburdened person, system, organization, etc., to fail, give up, or collapse. I was already fed up with my husband's lazy, selfish ways, but it was his refusal to get off the couch and come with me to my mother's funeral that was the straw that broke the camel's back! With governmental resources already strained to the breaking point, any sort of environmental disaster would likely be the straw that broke the camel's back.

the straw that broke the camel's back

The final limit of capacity, including patience. An Arabian anecdote told of a camel whose owner loaded the beast of burden with as much straw as possible. Not satisfied with the staggering load he had put on the camel, the owner added just one last piece of straw. Even that one wisp was too much, and the animal collapsed with a broken back, leaving the owner with no way to take his goods to the market. The story is a parable for all the times you've been repeatedly irked until you can't take it anymore and you explode.

See also: back, broke, straw, that

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References in periodicals archive

What seems to have been the straw that broke the camel's back was Apoel's defeat by Qarabag FK earlier this week at home.

Apoel sack Tramezzani following Qarabag defeat

As it was Lenny who led him to believe he was a father, he hunts the villain down, determined to take revenge - will this act of malice prove to be the straw that broke the camel's back? When Alex catches up with Lenny at Amber Cabs and holds him at gunpoint, it seems that could be the case.

ALEX IS GUNNING FOR REVENGE

Oztumer pointed to his side's FA Cup first-round defeat at Newport County as the straw that broke the camel's back and forced Whitney's men to buck up their ideas.

Wizard of Oztumer's magic moment

And that proved to be the straw that broke the camel's back for Ayo, who took off his jacket and slammed it to the floor in frustration.

Archers unleash fury after Ayo fumes

But, really, this week, when I spotted three mums wearing triathlon suits with their goggles still perched upon their foreheads at 3pm in the school playground, was the straw that broke the camel's back!

Morag from Manama

But the decision not to invest in the squad that sat top of the League in January 2013 because a promotion would have meant pumping more money in, seems to be the straw that broke the camel's back.

Tranmere will be back; Email:letters@liverpoolecho.co.ukYou Say

They're calling it the straw that broke the camel's back. People in the Irish Republic, having endured years of austerity, are in revolt against the introduction of charging for water.

When trickles turn to torrent

One unfortunate, in a fit of insanity, also claimed he had a TV licence; alas for him this was the straw that broke the camel's back and he was persecuted to such an extent that by comparison a visit from Torquemada and the boys of the Spanish Inquisition would have seemed like a soothing massage.

Writing was on the wall in Newtown; FEEDBACK

"It's the straw that broke the camel's back," says the actress.

Will EastEnders' Sharon live to fight another day?

Sulzberger Jr, the publisher of the Times, has long been known to be contentious, with clashes over her often brusque management style, but the first leaks (chronicled first and most thoroughly by Ken Auletta at The New Yorker) suggested that the straw that broke the camel's back was Abramson's discovery of, and subsequent attempt to correct, what appeared to be a significant disparity in pay between herself and her male predecessors (i.e., they were making more, if that isn't immediately obvious.) Whether this was really true is up for debatethe Times has since released a flurry of figures supporting their argument that Abramson acted in errorbut Abramson found it convincing enough to hire a lawyer.

Jill Abramson's Cardinal Sins Were Being 'Pushy' and Talking About Money. Oy

@davidrobertsss The straw that broke the camel's back @M_Rea Time for a change, never seen as much hostility towards a manager/ team in a long time @DaveCorps It won't happen for Mogga.

#boro140 Match reports by fans

Maybe this was the straw that broke the camel's back. Did anyone in the council consider this when the Broadgate plans were drawn up?

Bad planning led to end of Leofric; Letters

Her perceived public humiliation was clearly the straw that broke the camel's back.

Prank DJs have suffered enough

Howard added this is the straw that broke the camel's back, and at some stage unfortunately you've got to make a call, adding there were plenty of warnings.

CA high performance manager says sacked Oz players were given plenty of warnings

Lee had planned to retire after the World T20 this year, but the injury during the ODI series against England, which the Aussies lost 0- 4, turned out to be the straw that broke the camel's back. ( With agency inputs)

Enough is enough says LEE