breaking point

American  

noun

1. the point at which a person, object, structure, etc., collapses under stress.

2. the point at which a situation or condition becomes critical.

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breaking point British  

noun

1. the point at which something or someone gives way under strain

2. the moment of crisis in a situation

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Etymology

Origin of breaking point

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

It fractured under the same stretching conditions, indicating that viscosity is a key factor in this solid-like breaking behavior and suggesting that many simple liquids may share a similar breaking point.

From Science Daily

“These verdicts mark an unsurprising breaking point. Negative sentiment toward social media has been building for years, and now it’s finally boiled over,” said Mike Proulx, a director at Forrester, a market research company.

From Los Angeles Times

People from rural communities and businesses say areas are being left "devastated" as the company that oversees Northern Ireland's wastewater network admits it is at "breaking point".

From BBC

But Mayor Kate Gallego says the local population is growing tired of seeing data centers multiply in their communities, straining water supplies and a power grid that are already at breaking point.

From Barron's

Bennett, from Folkestone, Kent, previously told the BBC the couple's situation had reached "a terrifying breaking point" following the outbreak of war between Iran and the US and Israel.

From BBC