last hurrah A final moment of glory or triumph; a last fling; a swan song. This expression refers to hurrah ‘hubbub, commotion, fanfare’ and was popularized by Edwin O’Connor’s novel, The Last Hurrah (1956), which dealt with a big-city political boss apparently modeled after James M. Curley, long-time mayor of Boston.

the straw that broke the camel’s back The last in a series of cumulative irritations, unpleasant tasks, responsibilities, or remarks, especially a seemingly minor one that pushes a person’s patience and endurance beyond their limits; a final setback, one which demoralizes someone or destroys an enterprise or other matter. The camel, a beast of burden, stubbornly refuses to move if given too heavy a load to bear. Although a single straw on a camel’s back has an insignificant weight, many straws can produce a burden which may be too heavy to bear, figuratively breaking the camel’s back. By implication, then, a person subjected to one too many misfortunes or vexations may be pushed beyond his limits and respond suddenly and explosively in a manner which seems disproportionate to the provocation. This expression has several variations, the most common of which is the last straw.

swan song The last work, words, or accomplishment of a person or group of persons, especially of a poet, writer, or musician; a final gesture, such as that of a politician or other public figure before retirement or death. This common expression is based on the ancient belief (cited by Aristotle, Plato, Euripides, Cicero, and others) that swans sing their most beautiful songs just before they die.

Although the song of a swan is actually somewhat unpleasant to the ear, and no evidence has ever supported the theory that its final song is unusually beautiful, the legend has persisted for centuries and has been incorporated into the works of Shakespeare, Byron, Chaucer, and many other literary masters.