Grammar
N1AI-drafted〜とばかりに
as if to say ~; as though declaring ~
Formation
引用句・普通形 + とばかりに（例：ここぞとばかりに、待ってましたとばかりに）
Usage
Used when someone does not actually say the words, but their action or expression clearly conveys that message. It is descriptive and written-style, and the main clause is normally a vigorous action (飛び出した, 攻めた). Unlike 〜んばかりに, which describes an appearance close to happening, 〜とばかりに always quotes an implied utterance or attitude; set phrases such as ここぞとばかりに and 待ってましたとばかりに are very common.
Examples
彼はここぞとばかりに攻めた。
かれはここぞとばかりにせめた。
He attacked as if to say this was the moment.
子どもたちは待ってましたとばかりに外へ飛び出した。
こどもたちはまってましたとばかりにそとへとびだした。
The children rushed outside as if to say they'd been waiting for this.
犬は早く散歩に行こうとばかりに尻尾を振っている。
いぬははやくさんぽにいこうとばかりにしっぽをふっている。
The dog is wagging its tail as if to say, "Let's go for a walk already."