straw that broke the camel's back

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

That translated into a surge in jet fuel prices that proved to be "the straw that broke the camel's back," said Jan Brueckner, emeritus economics professor at the University of California, Irvine.

From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026

It said that the government's decision to remove the VAT exemption on the fees private schools charge, along with rising business rates, was the "straw that broke the camel's back".

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

“I think this is the straw — the Max 9 grounding — is probably the straw that broke the camel’s back for us,” he told CNBC.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 23, 2024

“I think the straw that broke the camel’s back was publicly saying things about another member in terms that no one should,” he said.

From Washington Times • Jul. 6, 2023

But I think the power threatening to go out was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman