とばかり

Japanese

Etymology 1

From と (to, conjunctive particle) + adverbial particle ばかり (bakari, “just, only”).

Phrase

とばかり • (to bakari) 

1. and only, if only
   • 1086, Goshūi Wakashū (book 13, poem 750; also Hyakunin Isshu, poem 63)

     今(いま)はただ思(おも)ひ絶(た)えなむとばかりを人(ひと)づてならで言(い)ふよしもがな

     ima wa tada omoitaenan to bakari o hitozute narade iu yoshi mogana

     Now is the only, and the only [time, that] I give up [on meeting you] without an intermediary, if there was to say in such a way.

2. if possible

Etymology 2

From adverb と (to) + adverbial particle ばかり (bakari, “just, only”).

Adverb

とばかり • (to bakari) 

1. momentarily, shortly