でもしたら (demo-shitara): If one were to; should ... happen
～でもしたら (demo-shitara)
Meaning
If one were to; should ... happen
Formation and usage
V stem + でもしたら
Notation: N = noun; V dictionary = dictionary-form verb; V stem = the stem before ます; plain clause = plain-form clause; negative stem = the form before ない. Follow the attachment shown above.
Explanation
Introduces an alarming hypothetical action and its serious consequence, not a casual suggestion.
Examples
うそをつきでもしたら、信用を失うだろう。
If someone were to tell a lie, they would probably lose people's trust.
秘密を漏らしでもしたら、信用を失うだろう。
If someone were to reveal the secret, they would probably lose people's trust.
約束を破りでもしたら、信用を失うだろう。
If someone were to break a promise, they would probably lose people's trust.
仲間を裏切りでもしたら、信用を失うだろう。
If someone were to betray one's teammates, they would probably lose people's trust.
責任を放棄しでもしたら、信用を失うだろう。
If someone were to abandon one's responsibilities, they would probably lose people's trust.
How related patterns differ
でもしたら hypothesizes an alarming action; が最後 makes its consequence difficult to reverse. 万一 plans for an unlikely contingency, while 恐れがある objectively warns of a risk.