for want of

alternative for the want of

1. Because of the absence of.

   for want of a better word

   4 more examples

   I did not pass it, though not for want of trying.

   For want of a nail the shoe was lost. For want of a shoe the horse was lost. For want of a horse the rider was lost. For want of a rider the battle was lost. For want of a battle the kingdom was lost. And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.

   a. 1640, For Want of a Nail

   When the time of Christ's second coming is at hand, there will be but a very little faith in the world. And the Lord knows that there be many, who are now as high as Lucifer, that at that day, for want of faith, will be thrown down to the sides of the pit; even in the very belly of hell.

   a. 1689 (date written), John Bunyan, “ Some Gospel Truths Opened”, in Henry Stebbing, editor, The Entire Works of John Bunyan, […], volume I, London: James S[prent] Virtue, […], published 1863, →OCLC, page 75

   In April 1923, he was working with a gang of five others in Glasgow on the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS). They were told to walk in the cess. But as it wasn't clear, they walked on the sleepers, each carrying a 70lb lifting screw on his shoulder. McGuinness was struck by a train and killed for want of a safe path.

   2022 August 10, Dr Mike Esbester, “New understandings from old incidents”, in RAIL, number 963, page 58

   Synonyms: for lack of