ならまだしも

(Nara madashimo)

if it were at least X (that would be OK, but).

Connection rules

＋Noun + ならまだしも; plain-form clause + ならまだしも.
＋Escalating criticism — 'X would be OK, but Y crosses the line'.
＋Common in complaints and disappointment: 一度ならまだしも、何度もは困る ('once would be OK, but many times is a problem').

一いち度どならまだしも、何なん度ども遅刻ちこくするのは困こまる。

Ichi do nara madashimo, nan do mo chikoku suru no wa komaru.

Once I could accept, but being late repeatedly is a problem.

「if it were at least X (that would be OK, but)」

無料むりょうならまだしも、有料ゆうりょうでこれはひどい。

Muryou nara madashimo, yuuryou de kore wa hidoi.

If it were free it'd be OK, but for pay, this is awful.

「if it were at least X (that would be OK, but)」

If it were a joke it might be okay, but saying such a rude thing seriously is unforgivable.

___、本気でそんな失礼なことを言うなんて許せない。

Romaji also accepted