Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

last straw

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.98 in modern English

Syllables: last s-traw
IPA

12

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

2

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A small addition to an already heavy burden which causes it to exceed the capacity.

Uncountable

Example Sentences

"That's the last straw; it's a petty demand but I’m already under too much work. I quit!"
"First to fail, inevitably, are the airlines. For Flybe, which was already losing money at the rate of £2 million a day, Coronavirus was the last straw."

Etymology

Ellipsis of the straw that broke the camel's back.

Usage

Uncountable

Phrases

deal breaker

Frequently Paired Words

deal breaker

Synonyms

final straw the straw that broke the camel's back the stroke that broke the camel's back

Questions

What does last straw mean?: A small addition to an already heavy burden which causes it to exceed the capacity.
Where does last straw come from?: Ellipsis of the straw that broke the camel's back.

How to pronounce last straw

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “last straw”.
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