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.
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]
except for
Were it not for: I would join you except for my cold.