for want of

• Rhymes: -ʌv

for want of

1. for lack of; because of the absence of

   for want of a better word

   • a. 1640, For Want of a Nail:

     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.

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

     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.

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