さもあらばあれ

さ

も

あ

ら

ば

あ

れ

Meanings

1

expression

be that as it may; in any case; do as you please

usually written using kana alone

A set phrase expressing resignation or indifference: 'whatever happens, so be it' or 'do as you like'. Often used when the speaker accepts a situation or gives free rein to someone else. The kanji forms are extremely rare; the kana spelling is standard.

さも

あら

ば

あれ

、

私わたし

は

自じ

分ぶん

の

道みち

を

行い

く

だけ

だ

。

Be that as it may, I'll just go my own way.

彼かれが何なにを言いおうとさもあらばあれ、気きにしない。

Whatever he says, in any case, I don't care.

Kanji

然sort of thing, so, if so
遮intercept, interrupt, obstruct
莫must not, do not, be not

Related words

どうせ
どうせ is a more common and casual adverb meaning 'anyway' or 'after all', while さもあらばあれ is a formal, somewhat archaic set phrase expressing resignation.
いずれにせよ
いずれにせよ is a neutral, modern expression meaning 'in any case', whereas さもあらばあれ carries a more dramatic, resigned tone.

Written forms

遮莫さもあらばあれUsage100%
Archaic ateji spelling; virtually never used in contemporary writing.
然さもあらばあれ
Rare kanji spelling using 然; not commonly used in modern Japanese.

Etymology

Derived from classical Japanese 然もあらばあれ (samo araba are), literally 'even if it is so, let it be'. The kanji 遮莫 is an archaic ateji spelling. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the phrase has been used since the Heian period.