if it hadn't been for (someone or something)
if it hadn't been for (someone or something)
If someone or something hadn't helped, intervened, or affected the situation in some way. The phrase is always followed by an explanation of how things would have turned out differently without someone or something. If it hadn't been for those quick-thinking bystanders, I wouldn't be alive today. If it hadn't been for those meddling kids, we would have gotten away with it.
See also: been, if
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
- if it wasn't/weren't for...
- if it weren't for (someone or something)
- if not for (someone or something)
- were it not for (someone or something)
- (as) sure as eggs (is eggs)
- great minds
- great minds think alike
- Heinz 57
- Heinz 57 (variety)
- Heinz 57 variety