そばからAs soon as, Right after, Even if … still

そばから is a combination of the noun 側(そば) 'side', and the case marking particle から 'from'. It illustrates something that happens immediately upon (A), and can be translated as 'as soon as (A), (B)', or 'right after (A), (B)'.

(B) is usually something that is considered annoying, unfavorable, or somehow nullifies (A) by the speaker, but there are exceptions. If the more literal translation of 'from right beside (A), (B)' helps to remember the nuance of (B) happening straight away, then that may be a helpful way to memorize this construction.

そばから will follow verbs in either their dictionary or past-tense forms.

Regardless of whether the dictionary or the past-tense form of a verb is used, as そばから means 'right after (A)', the meaning will not change at all.

Caution

そばから will almost always imply that (B) is something that always happens upon (A), rather than being a once-off situation.