GRAMMAR DETAIL

どころではない

no time for · in no position to

Indicates having no room at all for an action because circumstances are urgent or serious.

Examples

締め切り直前で、昼食を取るどころではない。

With the deadline so close, there is no time for lunch.

今は旅行の計画を立てるどころではない。

I am in no position to plan a trip right now.

事故の対応で、休んでいるどころではない。

With the accident to deal with, this is no time to rest.

Structure: どころではない after an action or situation means there is no room for it because something more urgent or serious takes priority.
Basic usage: 締め切り直前で、昼食を取るどころではない。 says that the imminent deadline leaves no room for lunch.

Situational room versus planning ability
- 旅行の計画を立てるどころではない means the current situation leaves no room to think about travel plans. It concerns those circumstances independently of whether the person has the ability to plan.
Dictionary form and ongoing state
- 昼食を取るどころではない concerns eating lunch, while 休んでいるどころではない concerns being at rest. Either form says there is no room for that action or state.