〜んばかり
Formation
Meaning
As if to / so much so that it seems like / on the verge of. Almost to the point of ~.
Note
A literary and dramatic expression describing a state where something is so intense that it appears to be on the very verge of happening. It is often used with '今にも' (at any moment) or with metaphorical descriptions of intense emotion or effort. It is more formal and evocative than '〜そうだ'. It follows the negative stem of a verb (plus 'ん').
Examples
風船は今にも破裂せんばかりだ。
The balloon looks as if it's about to burst at any moment.
あの犬は今にも飛びかからんばかりでした。
That dog looked as if it was about to pounce at any moment.
彼女は今にも泣かんばかりの表情をしていた。
She had an expression as if she was about to cry any moment.
観客は立ち上がらんばかりに拍手をした。
The audience applauded so much they were almost standing up.
彼は土下座せんばかりに謝った。
He apologized so much he was practically bowing to the floor.