la gota que colmó el vaso
/la ɡota ke kolmo el baso/from spelling rules
In Spanish, 'the last straw' is expressed as la gota que colmó el vaso.
This phrase is used to describe the final problem in a series of problems that makes a situation unbearable.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'the drop that overflowed the glass'.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the default phrase, the verb colmó is the third-person singular preterite indicative of colmar, which means to fill to the brim or overflow.
Did you know?
- The Spanish word gota for 'drop' is a linguistic relative of the English word 'gout'. Both terms derive from the Latin word gutta.
- Unlike the English imagery of a camel's back, the Spanish phrase la gota que colmó el vaso draws on a Mediterranean metaphor of a vessel reaching its absolute limit.
- While the standard phrase uses the past tense colmó, speakers often switch to the present tense colma to signal that a situation is reaching its breaking point in real time.
Examples in context
- Este comportamiento irrespetuoso es la gota que colmó el vasoThis disrespectful behavior is the last straw
- Sus constantes mentiras fueron la gota que derramó el vasoHer constant lies were the last straw
- Tus groserías constantes fueron lo que colmó el vasoYour constant rudeness was the last straw
- Ese comentario fue la gota que colmó el vaso.That comment was the last straw.
- Su mala actitud fue la gota que colmó el vaso.His bad attitude was the last straw.
- Ese retraso fue la gota que colmó el vaso para nosotros.That delay was the last straw for us.
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are discussing a difficult coworker at the office.
- ElenaÉl siempre llega tarde, pero hoy fue la gota que colmó el vaso.He is always late, but today was the last straw.
- JavierTienes razón, Elena. Es un problema serio.You're right, Elena. It's a serious problem.
- Elena¿Vas a hablar con el jefe, Javier?Are you going to talk to the boss, Javier?
- JavierSí, no podemos seguir así.Yes, we can't go on like this.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries el, gota, la, la gota que colmó el vaso, que, vaso, CC BY-SA 4.0.
