Meaning & usage
とあっては marks a special or weighty situation that leaves no real choice in what follows. It is used when a circumstance such as a personal request, emergency, or strong expectation makes a certain action unavoidable. It follows a plain form clause, with だ added after nouns and na-adjectives, as in 頼んだとあっては or 熱心だとあっては. The main clause typically expresses obligation or lack of alternatives with patterns like しかない, わけにはいかない, or ざるを得ない.
Example sentences 7
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社長が直々に頼んだとあっては、断るわけにはいかない。
Seeing that the company president asked me personally, there's no way I can refuse.
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台風で電車が止まっているとあっては、歩いて帰るしかない。
Now that the trains have stopped because of the typhoon, we have no choice but to walk home.
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子供がそこまで熱心だとあっては、親も協力せざるを得ない。
Seeing that the child is that enthusiastic, the parents have no choice but to cooperate too.
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客が並んでいるとあっては、店を開けるしかない。
With customers already lined up, I have no choice but to open the shop.
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皆が期待しているとあっては、やめるわけにいかない。
Now that everyone is counting on me, I can't just quit.
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雪で道が閉ざされたとあっては、出発を延ばすしかない。
With the road closed by snow, we can only postpone our departure.
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社員全員が反対したとあっては、計画は進められない。
With all the employees opposed, we cannot go ahead with the plan.
In past JLPT papers
This came up in 1 past exam question.