Region: General | Usage example: The broken monitor was the last straw; the team postponed the launch.

The last straw

Meaning

The final annoyance that forces someone to act or break down.

Signals the final tipping point after a series of problems.

Origin notes can vary by region and source; this page gives the commonly reported explanation and usage context.

Evokes piling straws on a camel until its back breaks.

Appears in English usage from the 19th century and remains a common metaphor.