GRAMMAR DETAIL

〜ならまだしも

perhaps if it were · would be one thing, but

Contrasts a lesser degree that might be acceptable with the actual greater degree, which is difficult to accept.

Examples

一日ならまだしも、一週間も待つことはできない。

One day would be one thing, but I cannot wait an entire week.

短い休みならまだしも、長い休暇は取れない。

A short break would be one thing, but I cannot take a long vacation.

Structure: ならまだしも follows a condition that might be acceptable and contrasts it with a less acceptable situation.
Basic usage: 一日ならまだしも、一週間も待つことはできない。 contrasts one day with a week to evaluate the tolerable length of a wait.

Qualified acceptance of the first condition
- 一日ならまだしも offers qualified acceptance of a wait of about one day. Combined with the following 一週間も, it highlights rejection of the greater degree.