〜くらいなら
Rather than 〜くらいなら
Meaning
"Rather than ~, I would sooner …" — rejecting the worse of two options.
Formation
[verb dictionary] + くらいなら （also 〜ぐらいなら）
Notes
Both options are usually unappealing; the pattern picks the lesser evil, so it closes with 〜ほうがましだ or 〜ほうがいい. It expresses distaste for the first option rather than enthusiasm for the second.
Examples
あとで謝（あやま）るくらいなら、最初（さいしょ）からしなければいいのに。
If you are only going to apologise afterwards, better not do it at all.
Breakdown
満員電車（まんいんでんしゃ）に乗（の）るくらいなら、歩（ある）いたほうがましです。
I would sooner walk than get on a packed train.
Breakdown
途中（とちゅう）でやめるくらいなら、始（はじ）めないほうがいいです。
If you are going to quit halfway, better not to start.
Breakdown
人（ひと）に頼（たの）むくらいなら、自分（じぶん）でやります。
Rather than ask someone, I will do it myself.
Breakdown
一時間（いちじかん）も待（ま）たされるくらいなら、帰（かえ）ります。
If I am going to be kept waiting an hour, I am leaving.
Breakdown
⚠️ Often confused with
AよりBのほうが〜
Comparison より〜のほうが
"B is more ~ than A." Used to compare two things and state which has more of some quality.
〜（の中）で一番〜
Superlative 〜で一番
"The most ~ among/of ~". States that something is the most extreme within a group. Always...
〜というより
More like 〜というより
"Rather than ~", "more like ~" — correcting a description with a better one.