とばかり（に） (to-bakari-ni): As if to say
～とばかり（に） (to-bakari-ni)
Meaning
As if to say
Formation and usage
quoted phrase + とばかりに
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
Infers an unspoken message from someone's expression or action without claiming it was said aloud.
Examples
会議が終わると、彼は「もう帰ろう」とばかりに立ち上がった。
When the meeting ended, he stood up as if to say, "Let's go home."
試験が終わると、彼は「もう帰ろう」とばかりに立ち上がった。
When the exam ended, he stood up as if to say, "Let's go home."
研修が終わると、彼は「もう帰ろう」とばかりに立ち上がった。
When the training session ended, he stood up as if to say, "Let's go home."
発表会が終わると、彼は「もう帰ろう」とばかりに立ち上がった。
When the presentation event ended, he stood up as if to say, "Let's go home."
面接が終わると、彼は「もう帰ろう」とばかりに立ち上がった。
When the interview ended, he stood up as if to say, "Let's go home."
How related patterns differ
ごとく and かのように compare; んばかりに exaggerates an imminent action. とばかりに infers an unspoken message. ともつかない is hard to classify, ともなく lacks intent or specificity, and 並み matches a standard level.