どころではない (dokoro-dewa-nai): Be in no position to; no time for
～どころではない (dokoro-dewa-nai)
Meaning
Be in no position to; no time for
Formation and usage
V dictionary／N + どころではない
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
Circumstances are too pressing or difficult to allow the activity.
Examples
急病人が出て、資料を確認するどころではなかった。
Someone suddenly fell ill, so I was in no position to check the documents.
急病人が出て、先生に相談するどころではなかった。
Someone suddenly fell ill, so I was in no position to consult the teacher.
急病人が出て、計画を見直すどころではなかった。
Someone suddenly fell ill, so I was in no position to review the plan.
急病人が出て、会場を下見するどころではなかった。
Someone suddenly fell ill, so I was in no position to inspect the venue beforehand.
急病人が出て、十分に練習するどころではなかった。
Someone suddenly fell ill, so I was in no position to practice thoroughly.
How related patterns differ
さえ and すら give extreme examples; たりとも excludes even the smallest amount. はおろか denies a more basic case. どころか counters an expectation; どころではない leaves no room to act. のみ and にすぎない limit things with different emphasis.