The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (310 page)
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The LAST drop makes the cup run over
See also the next proverb.
1655
Church Hist. Britain
XI. ii.
When the Cup is brim full before, the last (though least) superadded drop is charged alone to be the cause of all the running over.
1855
Hand-Book of Proverbs
509
The last drop makes the cup run over.
1876
Halves
I. x.
An application of her brother-in-law for a five-pound note .. was the last drop that caused Mrs. Reaburn's cup of bitterness to overflow.
1888
Beechcroft at Rockstone
I. i.
Valetta burst out crying at this last drop that made the bucket overflow.
excess
1655Church Hist. Britain
XI. ii.
When the Cup is brim full before, the last (though least) superadded drop is charged alone to be the cause of all the running over.
1855
Hand-Book of Proverbs
509
The last drop makes the cup run over.
1876
Halves
I. x.
An application of her brother-in-law for a five-pound note .. was the last drop that caused Mrs. Reaburn's cup of bitterness to overflow.
1888
Beechcroft at Rockstone
I. i.
Valetta burst out crying at this last drop that made the bucket overflow.
excessIt is the LAST straw that breaks the camel's back
The metaphor is also used allusively, especially in the phrase
the last straw
.
1655
Defence of True Liberty of Human Actions
54
It is the last feather may be said to break an Horses back.
1793
in
Publications of Colonial Society of Massachusetts
(1954) XXXVI. 298
It is certainly true that the last feather will sink the camel.
1848
Dombey & Son
ii.
As the last straw breaks the laden camel's back, this piece of underground information crushed the sinking spirits of Mr. Dombey.
1876
Manchester Man
III. xv.
The last straw breaks the camel's back.
1940
Four Defence
xiii.
‘This final droplet turns the scale’… ‘The last straw that breaks the camel's back?’ condensed the Counsellor.
1983
Case of Missing Bronte
iii.
‘This is the picture, as far as we have it,’ he said, .. a sigh in his voice that suggested that the visit of the Prime Minister was the final straw that might break the camel's back of his professional equilibrium.
excess
the last straw
.
1655Defence of True Liberty of Human Actions
54
It is the last feather may be said to break an Horses back.
1793
in
Publications of Colonial Society of Massachusetts
(1954) XXXVI. 298
It is certainly true that the last feather will sink the camel.
1848
Dombey & Son
ii.
As the last straw breaks the laden camel's back, this piece of underground information crushed the sinking spirits of Mr. Dombey.
1876
Manchester Man
III. xv.
The last straw breaks the camel's back.
1940
Four Defence
xiii.
‘This final droplet turns the scale’… ‘The last straw that breaks the camel's back?’ condensed the Counsellor.
1983
Case of Missing Bronte
iii.
‘This is the picture, as far as we have it,’ he said, .. a sigh in his voice that suggested that the visit of the Prime Minister was the final straw that might break the camel's back of his professional equilibrium.
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