I've had it up to here

[0111] That's the last straw

🎲 For Pete's sake
English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • Refers to a final, often small, annoyance, problem, or incident that occurs after a series of previous ones, making a situation completely unbearable and causing one's patience or tolerance to break.

Origin

  • Comes from the proverb It is the last straw that breaks the camel's back.
  • This proverb illustrates that even a seemingly insignificant addition (a single straw) to an already heavy load can cause a catastrophic failure (breaking the camel's back).
  • The phrase itself has been used since the 19th century.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • The final straw
  • The limit / The absolute limit
  • Breaking point
  • Enough is enough
  • I've had it up to here
  • The final nail in the coffin (Implies something is now finished/dead)

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • That did it / That does it
  • That tears it (Slightly dated)
  • I'm out (Meaning leaving/ending the situation)
  • The straw that broke the camel's back (The full proverb)
  • That was it (Implying the end of tolerance)

Vulgar/Emphatic:

  • That's the fucking limit
  • Fuck this shit, I'm done

Milder:

  • That was the breaking point
  • I couldn't tolerate any more after that
  • That simply went too far
  • That tipped the scales

Situational Appropriateness

  • Informal to semi-formal.
  • Suitable for describing a breaking point in personal relationships, customer service issues, or work situations (use cautiously at work, depends on context). Conveys strong emotion and finality.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • The literal meaning of a straw is irrelevant. Must be understood idiomatically as the final intolerable event in a series.

Examples

  • He was late, he forgot our anniversary, and then he insulted my cooking. That was the last straw!
  • The company ignored my emails, sent the wrong product, and then refused a refund. Charging me a restocking fee was the last straw.
  • First the power went out, then the basement flooded. The car not starting this morning was the last straw.

Dialogue

Maria: My landlord promised to fix the leak weeks ago. He didn't. Then the heating broke. Still nothing.

Jake: That's terrible!

Maria: And yesterday, he had the nerve to ask for the rent early! That was the last straw. I'm moving out.

Jake: Good for you! You deserve better.

Social Media Examples

  • Tweet: My internet provider raised my rates AGAIN without notice. That's the last straw. Switching providers tomorrow. @[ProviderHandle] #badservice
  • Facebook Post: Tried to be patient with the noisy neighbors, but the party until 4 AM was the last straw. Called the police.
  • Blog Post Title: The Last Straw: Why I Left My Corporate Job

Response Patterns

  • Understanding/Validation: I can see why., I don't blame you., That would make anyone snap.
  • Concern/Inquiry: Oh wow. What are you going to do now?, So what happened next?
  • Agreement: Absolutely. That's unacceptable., I would feel the same way.

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

  • This phrase often signals a turning point, immediately preceding a decisive action like ending a relationship, quitting a job, making a formal complaint, having a confrontation, or simply giving up.
  • A listener will typically ask about the consequence: So, did you leave?, Did you complain?.
  • The speaker might then describe their reaction or decision.

Conversation Starter

  • No. Marks the culmination of a negative sequence, not an opening remark.

Intonation

  • Said with a tone of finality, often mixed with anger, frustration, or resignation.
  • Stress falls strongly on LAST and STRAW. That's the LAST STRAW!

Generation Differences

  • Widely understood and used across generations. The underlying proverb is well-known.

Regional Variations

  • Common in all major English-speaking regions.
I've had it up to here
🎲 For Pete's sake