Question

The straw that broke the camel’s back The straw that breaks the camel’s back has a very similar meaning to “the last straw”. It refers to something happening which finally makes you unable to cope with a situation. Here the image is of a camel being used as a beast of burden. One final thing makes it reach the limit of what it can carry. “Julie’s been ill, and she’s been practising really hard, so she’s very tired. When they brought her piano exam forward a day, it was the straw that broke the camel’s back.”

Accepted Answer

What do you mean? Why does it mean this? Example

Metaphor	The straw that broke the camel’s back
Question Meaning	What do you mean?
Meaning	The straw that breaks the camel’s back has a very similar meaning to “the last straw”. It refers to something happening which finally makes you unable to cope with a situation.
Question Explanation	Why does it mean this?
Explanation	Here the image is of a camel being used as a beast of burden. One final thing makes it reach the limit of what it can carry.
Question Example	Example
Example	“Julie’s been ill, and she’s been practising really hard, so she’s very tired. When they brought her piano exam forward a day, it was the straw that broke the camel’s back.”

Straw Camel’s Back Broke Makes She’s Breaks Similar