were it not for
Alternative form of if it were not for
Were it not for imagination, Sir, a man would be as happy in the arms of a chambermaid as of a Duchess. Samuel Johnson
The fact that boys are allowed to exist at all is evidence of remarkable Christian forbearance among men - were it not for a mawkish humanitarianism, coupled with imperfect digestive powers, we should devour our young, as Nature intended. Ambrose Bierce
In those days [1955], affirmative action was for whites only. I might still be working for the grocery store in the small Texas town where I grew up were it not for affirmative action for Southern white boys. Bill Moyers
Were it not for the Clash, punk would have been just a sneer, a safety pin and a pair of bondage trousers. Billy Bragg
Were it not for shadows, there would be no beauty. Jun'ichirō Tanizaki
Were it not for hope the heart would break. Scottish Proverb