せずにはいられなかった

couldn't help but

→ 為る

phrase Rare #42,220

couldn't help but Expresses that someone was unable to stop themselves from doing something. It is the past form of せずにはいられない and is somewhat formal or literary.

JA: 彼の勇気に感心せずにはいられなかった。

EN: I couldn't help but admire his courage.

彼女は娘のことを心配せずにはいられなかった。

She couldn't help but worry about her daughter.

彼の勇気に感心せずにはいられなかった。

I couldn't help but admire his courage.

彼女は息子のことを心配せずにはいられなかった。

She couldn't help worrying about her son.