Summary
Something as light and harmless as a single straw could break something as solid as friendship? Well, it can happen. Listen to the programme to find out what the phrase mean.
Transcript
Neil Hello and welcome to The English We Speak from BBC Learning English. I'm Neil.
Helen Hello, I'm Helen. Neil, can I ask you about something?
Neil Yeah, sure. What’s on your mind?
Helen Well, Theodora and Alma are my best friends, but they are not talking to each other because of a straw.
Neil They are not getting on because of a straw? Are you sure you heard it right?
Helen Yes, Alma said to me when Theodora didn't come to her party, it was the last straw. I don't understand. What could a straw do?
Neil Oh, Alma was just using an expression. What she really meant was, things were not going well between them because of things that had happened in the past.
Helen Well Theodora did miss quite a few of our gatherings.
Neil When Theodora didn't come to Alma's party, that was the final thing that made Alma really angry, giving up on their friendship.
Helen Oh, I see, so the last straw means the last thing or event that caused the total melt down.
Neil That's right, we often hear the phrase 'the last straw', when people are talking about repeated problems or issues that aren't getting better, then the smallest thing happens, people finally lose their composure and explode.
Helen I see.
Neil Let’s hear how it's used.
Examples A: I've never seen you so angry. B: I have had such a bad day. I woke up late and rushed out of the house, then missed my bus by seconds, got in to work and was told there would be no pay rise this year. When the dinner lady said I put too much salad on my plate, it was the last straw.
The paper factory has struggled to stay open in the last few years; the new tax charge was the last straw, forcing it to shut down after 30 years in business.
Neil Just so you know. Some people also say 'the final straw', and it means the same as 'the last straw'.
Helen Thanks for the clarification. I do hope my friends can resolve their differences. Friendship is worth saving.
Neil Absolutely.
Both Bye.