Verb dictionary form + までだ / までのことだ

[Just; merely / At worst, one can just]

Connection: Verb dictionary form + までだ / までのことだ

Usage 1 — Determination: Expresses a last-resort resolution. "If it comes to that, I'll just do X." Shows the speaker's determination when other options fail.

• 電車がなければ歩くまでだ。(If there's no train, I'll just walk.)

Usage 2 — Merely: Expresses that an action was nothing special, just a simple act.

• 聞かれたから答えたまでだ。(I was asked, so I merely answered.)

Examples:

不合格なら、もう一度受けるまでのことだ。(If I fail, I'll just take it again.)

手伝ったのは、困っている人を見たから助けたまでだ。(I helped simply because I saw someone in trouble.)

断られたら、別の方法を考えるまでだ。(If I'm refused, I'll just think of another way.)