N2 — outside your level filter
てはいられない
てはいられないte wa irarenaiN2neutral
Same meaning1
can't afford to; this is no time for
All examples3
can't afford to keep doing X — must give way to something urgent
不正を知ってしまった以上、黙ってはいられなかった。
fusei o shitte shimatta ijou, damatte wa irarenakatta.
Once I knew about the wrongdoing, I couldn't afford to stay silent. neutral
締め切りが近いから、のんびりしてはいられない。
shimekiri ga chikai kara, nonbiri shite wa irarenai.
The deadline's close, so I can't afford to just relax. casual
病状が悪化しており、悠長に構えてはいられません。
byoujou ga akka shite ori, yuuchou ni kamaete wa iraremasen.
His condition is worsening, so we can't afford to take a leisurely approach. formal
How it's formed1
All forms3
てばかりはいられないtebakarihairarenaialternant
味わってばかりはいられない
inserts ばかり before はいられない to stress that the current activity specifically cannot go on — 遊んでばかりはいられない, "can't just keep on playing."
- pastてはいられなかったtehairarenakatta
味わってはいられなかった
- politeてはいられませんtehairaremasen
味わってはいられません