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The English We Speak

from BBC learning English.

com. Hello and Can I ask you about something? Yeah, sure. What's on your mind?

Well, Theodora and Elma are my best friend, but they're not talking to each other because of a straw.

They're not getting on because of a straw.

Are you sure you heard it right?

Yes, Elle 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?

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.

Well, Theodora did miss quite a few of our gatherings.

When Theodora didn't come to Alma's party, that was the final thing that made

Alma really angry, giving up on their friendship.

Oh, I see. So the last straw means the last thing or event that caused the total meltdown.

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.

And then the smallest thing happens people finally lose their

composure and explode I see let's hear how it's used I've never seen you so angry

oh I've had such a bad day. I woke up late and rushed out to the house, then missed my bus by seconds, got into work and was told there'd 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

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