GRAMMAR DETAIL

〜だけましだ

at least · better than nothing

Finds relative consolation in one favorable aspect of an otherwise undesirable situation.

Examples

電車には乗り遅れたが、事故に遭わなかっただけましだ。

I missed the train, but at least I was not in an accident.

早く帰れたなら、それだけましだ。

If you were able to get home early, that alone is some consolation.

Structure: だけましだ follows a favorable aspect and treats it as relative consolation within an undesirable situation.
Basic usage: 電車には乗り遅れたが、事故に遭わなかっただけましだ。 finds consolation in avoiding an accident despite missing the train.

Relative judgment rather than overall satisfaction
- 事故に遭わなかっただけましだ compares the outcome with the worse possibility of an accident. It does not turn missing the train into a satisfactory or good result.
Referring back to the favorable aspect
- それ in 早く帰れたなら、それだけましだ refers to having been able to return early. だけ narrows the basis for consolation to that aspect.