Noun / Clause + ならまだしも

[If it were ... it would still be acceptable, but]

Connection: Noun / Clause + ならまだしも

Usage: Similar to ならいざしらず but slightly less formal. Used to present a hypothetical situation that would be more acceptable, and then contrast it with the actual situation which is not acceptable. Implies "A would be understandable, but B is too much."

Similar expressions:

• ならいざしらず = more formal/literary
• ならまだしも = moderately formal

Examples:

一度の失敗ならまだしも、何度も同じミスを繰り返すのは問題だ。(If it were one failure, that would be one thing, but repeating the same mistake is a problem.)

冗談ならまだしも、本気で言っているなら許せない。(If it were a joke, that would still be okay, but if you're serious, I can't forgive that.)

少し遅れるならまだしも、二時間も遅刻するとは信じられない。(Being a little late would be one thing, but being two hours late is unbelievable.)