Meaning & usage
それどころか introduces a statement that overturns what was expected from the previous statement, meaning quite the opposite or in fact even more so. It is a conjunction that starts a new sentence, so it follows a complete statement and is usually followed by a comma, as in それどころか、... It is often used after a negative claim to correct it with a stronger opposite fact, and it is neutral in tone for both speech and writing.
Example sentences 4
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「終わったの」「それどころかまだ始めてもいないよ」
"Have you finished?" "On the contrary I have not even begun yet."
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彼は金持ちではない。それどころか、彼は借金だらけだ。
He is not rich. On the contrary, he is deep in debt.
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メアリーは貧しくはない。それどころか、かなり裕福だ。
Mary is not poor. On the contrary, she is quite rich.
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その絵は醜いとは思わない。それどころか、むしろ美しいと思う。
That picture doesn't seem ugly to me; on the contrary, I think it's rather beautiful.
