but for

Idioms  

1. Except for, were it not for. For example, But for the afternoon shower, it was a perfect day, or But for the children, they would have gotten a divorce long ago. [c. 1200]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

but for

Dave’s Hot Chicken has adopted a similar premise for its spicier entry into the market, but for many Caniacs, nothing beats the stripped-down glory of the original.

From Slate ● Aug. 24, 2026

The web never quite reached the global utopian vision of its 1990s early adopters, but for about two decades it was a good hang.

From Salon ● Aug. 23, 2026

“For most companies, it’s not common to report an earnings triple play, but for NVDA, it’s now expected. Recent negative share-price reactions to the positive news are evidence of that,” says Bespoke.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 21, 2026

Uncertainty remains, but for now all is as well as can be expected.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2026

I want to say yes, but for the first time, I am not sure.

From "A Rover's Story" by Jasmine Warga