How do you say “The last straw” in German?
The closest natural German equivalent is der Tropfen, der das Fass zum Überlaufen bringt, which literally means “the drop that makes the barrel overflow”. English speakers use the last straw to mean this refers to the final problem in a series of unpleasant events that makes a situation completely unbearable. This is the exact functional equivalent in German. It is frequently used both as a noun phrase and in the verbal form 'das Fass zum Überlaufen bringen'. It is neutral, informal and common in everyday German.
Closest natural German
der Tropfen, der das Fass zum Überlaufen bringt
deːɐ̯ ˈtʁɔpfn̩ deːɐ̯ das fas t͡sʊm ˈyːbɐˌlaʊ̯fn̩ bʁɪŋt
- Literal meaning
- “the drop that makes the barrel overflow”
- Register
- neutral, informal
- How often it's used
- common
- Equivalence
Near-exact equivalent
95 out of 100
What a native German speaker would actually say
While English evokes the image of a beast of burden collapsing under the weight of one final piece of straw ('the straw that broke the camel's back'), German relies on fluid dynamics. In German imagery, cumulative grievances fill a container or barrel to the brim until a single additional drop causes it to spill over.
Be careful not to translate 'straw' literally. In German, 'der letzte Strohhalm' is tied to the concept of grasping at straws ('sich an jeden Strohhalm klammern') and signifies a faint, desperate hope or last resort rather than the breaking point.
How close is the meaning?
- Meaning5 out of 5
- Tone5 out of 5
- Context5 out of 5
- Literal similarity2 out of 5
These ratings are editorial approximations, not measurements.
What are other ways to say it in German?
das Fass zum Überlaufen bringen
Literally: “to bring the barrel to overflowing”
The active verbal form, which is often even more common in everyday speech than the noun phrase.
Jetzt ist das Maß voll!
Literally: “Now the measure is full!”
Used as an exclamation when someone's patience has completely run out.
Don't translate it literally
der letzte Strohhalm
In German, 'ein Strohhalm' refers to grasping at straws (a last resort or desperate hope), not the final problem that breaks someone's patience.
Word-for-word versions like these are understood as literal statements in German, not as expressions.
In context
English
His rude remark was the last straw.
German
Seine unhöfliche Bemerkung war der Tropfen, der das Fass zum Überlaufen brachte.
English
I was already stressed, but losing my keys was the last straw.
German
Ich war ohnehin schon gestresst, aber als ich meine Schlüssel verlor, brachte das das Fass endgültig zum Überlaufen.
Related expressions
Last reviewed 2026-09-11