せめてもの

pre-noun adjectival

at least; the least; only (consolation)

Used before a noun to express that something is minimal, but still provides some comfort, saving grace, or the bare minimum in a difficult situation. Often appears in phrases like せめてもの慰め (the only consolation) or せめてもの救い (the only saving grace).

• 事じ故こで車くるまは全ぜん損そんだったが、けががなかったのがせめてもの救すくいだ。

  The car was totaled in the accident, but at least no one was injured — that's the only saving grace.

• 彼かれは遅ち刻こくしたが、せめてもの言いい訳わけとして交こう通つう渋じゅう滞たいを挙あげた。

  He was late, but as the least he could do, he blamed the traffic jam.