JLPT N1 grammar

〜とばかりにmeaning and usage

Meaning

As if A (was true); Giving the impression of A

How to form it

  • plain formとばかりに
  • verb (imperative form)/verb (volitional form)とばかりに
  • ここぞとばかりに

How it is used

Someone's attitude or action seems to say A without words; A is often an order or an unspoken thought. Used about others, not oneself. 「ここぞとばかりに」 means 'seizing the moment'. 「んばかり」 means 'as if about to'.

Examples

  1. 彼女は私が悪いのだとばかりに声を尖らせた。

    Her voice was on edge as if I was in the wrong.

  2. 店員は、早く帰れとばかりに片付けを始めた。

    The staff began tidying up, as if to say, 'Hurry up and leave.'

  3. セールが始まると、客はここぞとばかりに買い物かごをいっぱいにした。

    When the sale began, shoppers seized the moment and filled their baskets.