except for

except for (someone or something)

1. Excluding someone or something. Everyone turned their project in on time except for Brian. I'm having a pretty good day—well, except for that boring meeting this morning.
2. If not for something. I'm sorry, I would have called you except for all this work I have to get done.
See also: except
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

except for

Also, with the exception of. Other than, were it not for. For example, Except for Jack, everyone came to the party, or With the exception of the weather, everything went extremely well. [c. 1600]
See also: except
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

except for

Were it not for: I would join you except for my cold.
See also: except
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • except for (someone or something)
  • but for
  • except for one thing
  • but for (someone)
  • in all but name
  • but for (something)
  • but for somebody/something
  • a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down
  • in the hole
  • mark time
References in periodicals archive
Black Saturday (March 31) - All malls follow regular operating hours except for SM City Baguio and SM City Novaliches which will be open from 10:00 a.m.
Interest paid by a large business (except for financial institutions) would not be deductible and interest received would not be taxable (except for financial institutions).
Form 8872 must be filed monthly, quarterly or semiannually (at the organization's option) by all organizations required to file Form 8871, except for QSLPOs.
Everything is identical to the boot, except for two things: (1) the QB shortens his roll to set up behind the tackle, and (2) the TB, instead of blocking, continues down the sideline.
It applies to all assets obtained through foreclosure or repossession, except for inventories, marketable equity securities and real estate previously owned by the lender and accounted for under Statement no.
No CalCPA Council members except for officers, past chairs of the CalCPA Board and state committee or section chairs may serve more than six consecutive years without at least a 365 consecutive day break in service.
During the five-year period ending on the date of the transaction, neither Target nor any person related to Target (as defined in [sections] 1.3681(e)(3) of the Income Tax Regulations without regard to [sections] 1.368-1 (e)(3) (A)) will have directly or through any transaction, agreement, or arrangement with any other person, (i) acquired stock of Target with consideration other than shares of Acquiring or Target (except for shares of Target stock acquired from dissenters in the transaction), (ii) redeemed or made distributions with respect to Target stock, except for redemptions in the ordinary course of Target's business ...
No asset in any class except for the last may be allocated more than its fair market value (FMV).
Irrevocable Trust, 994 F2d 302 (1993), rev'g 98 TC 227 (1992), it announced that it will not follow that decision except for cases arising in the Sixth Circuit.
1402(a)(13) purposes, the member's distributive share of income or loss from the LLC, except for guaranteed payments for services, will not be included in net earnings from SE.
The exchange would be completely non-taxable except for the receipt of the cash.