てばかりはいられない (tebakarihairarenai)

Meaning & usage

Used to say one cannot keep doing something indefinitely and must move on to action. It attaches to the te-form of a verb, with ばかり inserted before はいられない; a variant drops は (てばかりもいられない), and いつまでも often reinforces the meaning. It typically appears with a following なければ statement.

Example sentences 4

1. 遊あそんでばかりはいられない、そろそろ就職しゅうしょくの準備じゅんびをしよう。

   I can't keep playing around; it's time to start preparing for job hunting.

2. 失敗を悔やんでばかりはいられない、次の試合に向けて練習するだけだ。

   I can't keep dwelling on my failure; all I can do is train for the next match.

3. いつまでも親に頼ってばかりはいられない、自分でアパートを探そう。

   I can't keep depending on my parents forever; I'll look for my own apartment.

4. 泣いてばかりはいられない、まずは片付けるものを片付けよう。

   I can't keep crying; first, let me tidy up what needs tidying.