What it means
ではあるまいし expresses “it is not as if ...” or “you are not ...,” rejecting an assumed excuse or inappropriate behavior. It commonly presents a person or situation as obviously not having a certain status, condition, or circumstance, followed by advice, criticism, a command, or a conclusion that follows from that rejection. The expression is rhetorically forceful and somewhat formal or old-fashioned, and it is especially common in written language and admonishing statements.
Usage note
ではあるまいし normally appears in plain-style constructions and does not have a natural polite counterpart that preserves the same rhetorical force. Do not confuse it with a neutral statement using ではない, which simply means “is not” and lacks the implication that the following action or conclusion is unreasonable.
Example sentences
新人ではあるまいし、取引先へのメールを送る前に誤字くらい確認しなさい。
You are not a newcomer, so check at least for typos before sending an email to a business partner.
