Example: Hij greep de laatste strohalm om hulp te vragen.
Definition
"De laatste strohalm" refers to the final, desperate attempt or hope in a difficult situation, often when all other options have been exhausted. It is commonly used to describe a last resort someone clings to before giving up, as in seeking help when no other solutions remain.
Translations
the last straw
la última esperanza
l'última esperança
le dernier espoir
der letzte Strohhalm
l'ultima speranza
o último recurso
Etymology
The phrase "de laatste strohalm" literally means 'the last straw' in Dutch and originates from the English idiom 'the last straw that breaks the camel's back.' It reflects the idea that a final small burden or effort can cause a collapse or decisive action. Did you know? The straw imagery comes from the fragile nature of straw, symbolizing a minimal but critical factor.
Learn to use this expression actively
"De laatste strohalm" appears in the Vocaplus list "Dutch - General - Idioms and Proverbs - (C2) - set 1", containing 105 commonly used expressions.
Would you like to not only understand these expressions, but also remember them and use them actively? Create a free account and select Dutch as the language you want to learn.
the last straw