Idiom
if it weren't for someoneif it weren't for (someone/something)
the situation would have been different without someone or something.If it weren't for him, I would probably be living on the streets.I'd keep a garden if it weren't for having too much to do.
Usage notes: also used in the form if it hadn't been for someone or something:
If it hadn't been for Judy, Betsy was sure she would have left the city.