English Reference
Idiom idiom

the stroke that broke the camel's back


Synonym of the straw that broke the camel's back.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

“That rude comment was the stroke that broke the camel's back.”

CONTEXTUAL

“After months of missed deadlines, his final mistake was the stroke that broke the camel's back and led to his firing.”

COMPLEX

“While the team had endured numerous minor setbacks, this final failure proved to be the stroke that broke the camel's back, forcing them to abandon the project entirely.”


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    all bedlam breaks loose

    The situation becomes chaotic or characterized by conflict or rage.

  2. 02

    all hell breaks loose

    The situation becomes chaotic or characterized by conflict or rage.

  3. 03

    all the way to Egery and back

    The long way; a roundabout route; a long distance to travel.

  4. 04

    back down

    To take a less aggressive position in a conflict than one previously had, or has planned to have.

  5. 05

    back forty

    The most remote or inaccessible part of any place.

  6. 06

    back gammon player

    A person, chiefly a homosexual, who has anal sex.

  7. 07

    back in the game

    Having recovered from a disadvantageous position.

  8. 08

    back into

    To advance to the post-season as a result of another team's loss, especially where one's own team has also lost.

Last updated August 10, 2026