| 释义 |
the straw that broke the camel's back the straw that breaks the camel's backA seemingly small or inconsequential issue, problem, or burden that proves to be the final catalyst in causing an overworked or overburdened person, system, organization, etc., to fail, give up, or collapse. With governmental resources already strained to the breaking point, any sort of environmental disaster would be the straw that breaks the camel's back. I was already fed up with his laziness and insensitivity, but Jim's refusal to come with me to my own mother's funeral was the straw that breaks the camel's back.See also: back, break, straw, thatthe straw that broke the camel's backA seemingly small or inconsequential issue, problem, or burden that proved to be the final catalyst in causing an overworked or overburdened person, system, organization, etc., to fail, give up, or collapse. I was already fed up with my husband's lazy, selfish ways, but it was his refusal to get off the couch and come with me to my mother's funeral that was the straw that broke the camel's back! With governmental resources already strained to the breaking point, any sort of environmental disaster would likely be the straw that broke the camel's back.See also: back, broke, straw, thatthe straw that broke the camel's backThe final limit of capacity, including patience. An Arabian anecdote told of a camel whose owner loaded the beast of burden with as much straw as possible. Not satisfied with the staggering load he had put on the camel, the owner added just one last piece of straw. Even that one wisp was too much, and the animal collapsed with a broken back, leaving the owner with no way to take his goods to the market. The story is a parable for all the times you've been repeatedly irked until you can't take it anymore and you explode.See also: back, broke, straw, that |