last straw noun

(ie the straw that breaks the camel's back) that small event or factor which, following a series of others, finally makes the situation intolerable or irreparable

last word noun

1. The final remark in an argument
2. The final decision
3. The most up-to-date of its kind (informal)

at last

In the end

at long last

After long delay

breathe one's last

To die

die in the last ditch

To fight to the bitter end

first and last

Altogether

last but not least

Finally but not less importantly

last thing

1. After doing everything else
2. Finally before going to bed at night

on one's last legs

On the verge of utter failure or exhaustion

put the last hand to

To finish, put the finishing touch to

see (or hear) the last of

To see (or hear) for the last time

the Last Day and the Last Judgment

The Day of Judgment

the Last Supper

The supper taken by Christ and his disciples on the eve of the crucifixion

the last trump

The trumpet that will sound at the Last Day (Bible, 1 Corinthians 15.52)

to the last

1. To the end
2. Until death

straw¹ /strö/

noun

1. The stalk of corn
2. Dried stalks, etc of corn, or of peas or buckwheat, etc used as fodder, bedding, packing, for making hats, etc
3. A narrow tube for sucking up a beverage
4. A straw hat (old)
5. A trifle, a whit

adjective

1. Of straw
2. Of the colour of straw

strawˈen adjective (archaic)

Of straw

strawˈless adjective

strawˈlike adjective

strawˈy adjective

Of or like straw

strawˈboard noun

A thick cardboard, made of straw

straw boss noun (US)

An assistant, temporary, or unofficial foreman

strawˈ-breadth noun

The breadth of a straw

strawˈ-colour noun and adjective

Delicate brownish-yellow

strawˈ-coloured adjective

strawˈ-cutter noun

An instrument for cutting straw

strawˈflower or straw flower noun

Any Australian composite flowering plant of the genus Helichrysum, esp H. bracteatum (or macranthum) with everlasting flowers in a wide variety of colours

strawˈ-hat adjective (US)

Of or relating to summer theatre

straw man noun

A man of straw (see under man¹)

strawˈ-plait noun

Plaited straw for hats

straw poll or straw vote noun

An unofficial vote taken to get some idea of the general trend of opinion

strawˈ-stem noun

1. The fine stem of a wineglass pulled out from the material of the bowl, instead of being attached separately
2. A wineglass having such a stem

strawˈweight same as mini flyweight (see flyweight under fly).

straw wine noun

A sweet wine obtained from grapes dried on straw

strawˈ-work noun

Work done in plaited straw

strawˈworm noun

Another name for a caddis fly larva

catch, clutch or grasp at straws or at a straw

To resort to an inadequate remedy in desperation

draw the short straw

To be entrusted with an unpleasant task (as a result of, or as if by, drawing straws)

last straw see under last¹

man of straw see under man¹

straw in the wind

A sign of possible future developments