はおろか

はおろか is used to emphasize that something is even more extreme or obvious than a previous expectation, often contrasting a more obvious or basic thing with something even more unlikely or undesirable. It usually appears after the topic to say that not even the less extreme thing is true, and then higher level or worse items follow (e.g., not even X, let alone Y). This expression carries a sense of frustration, surprise, or emphasis on the difficulty or unlikeliness of the following item. It is common in writing and spoken Japanese for strong emphasis, especially when listing worsening situations or impossible contrasts. Note that the phrase that precedes はおろか sets the baseline for the contrast.