<P> The idiom the straw that broke the camel 's back , alluding to the proverb `` it is the last straw that breaks the camel 's back '' , describes the seemingly minor or routine action which causes an unpredictably large and sudden reaction , because of the cumulative effect of small actions . </P>
meaning of the straw that broke the camel 's back
seemingly minor or routine action which causes an unpredictably large and sudden reaction , because of the cumulative effect of small actions