were it not for
Meaning
were it not for
Alternative form of if it were not for
Examples
Were it not for imagination, Sir, a man would be as happy in the arms of a chambermaid as of a Duchess.
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.
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.
Were it not for the Clash, punk would have been just a sneer, a safety pin and a pair of bondage trousers.
Were it not for shadows, there would be no beauty.
Were it not for hope the heart would break.