とばかりに
(To bakari ni)
as if to say / seemingly saying.
Connection rules
- ＋Quoted phrase / plain-form clause + とばかりに.
- ＋Describes non-verbal communication — actions that convey a message.
- ＋Often with strong gestures or looks: 怒ったとばかりに, 嬉しいとばかりに.
Examples
1.
彼は「もう限界だ」とばかりに、ため息をついた。
Kare wa "mou genkai da "to bakari ni, tameiki o tsui ta.
He sighed as if to say 'I've had enough'.
「as if to say / seemingly saying」
2.
子供は「早く行こう」とばかりに、私の手を引っ張った。
Kodomo wa "hayaku iko u "to bakari ni, watashi no te o hippa ta.
The child pulled my hand as if to say 'let's go quickly'.
「as if to say / seemingly saying」
Practice
He pointed to the door as if to say 'Go home!'
彼は「___」指をさした。
Romaji also accepted