2VERB 经得住;承受得起 If you say that you cannot afford to do something or allow it to happen, you mean that you must not do it or must prevent it from happening because it would be harmful or embarrassing to you. 经得住;承受得起
We can't afford to wait. [VERB to-infinitive]
我们等不起。
The country could not afford the luxury of an election. [VERB noun]