Meaning & usage
ばかりに attaches to a noun and means something happens simply because of that thing, often with a negative or regretful result. It also appears in the pattern 言わんばかりに, where it follows the volitional form and means someone acts as if to say something.
Example sentences 8
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この事ばかりに時間をかけてるわけにはいかないんだ。
You can't just spend all of your time doing this.
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彼女は万事承知と言わんばかりに私に目くばせした。
She winked at me as much as to say she knew everything.
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何でもかんでも君の好き勝手ばかりにはさせないぞ。
You shall not have your own way in everything.
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彼は同意すると言わんばかりにうなずいた。
He nodded as much as to say, I agree.
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その部屋は引っ越せるばかりになっている。
The room is ready for us to move into.
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彼は賛成だと言わんばかりにうなずいた。
He nodded as much as to say that he agreed.
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彼は神とおぼしきものを目にして、飛び上がらんばかりに喜びはじめた。
He began an exultation to what he perceived as God.
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骨と皮ばかりにやせこけたねこでした。
It was a cat starved to skin and bones.