"rather than"的含义和具体用法?

rather than:
conj.宁可...也不愿(与其...倒不如,而不是)
Examples:
1.Rather than risk breaking up his marriage he told his wife everything.
他惟恐婚姻破裂,把一切都告诉了妻子.
2.It's management that's at fault rather than the work-force.
错在资方而不在劳方.
3.I think I'll have a cold drink rather than coffee.
我想喝冷饮,不想喝咖啡.
4.She is a career woman rather than a housewife.
她是职业妇女而不是家庭主妇.
5.It is better to express your anger,rather than bottle it up.
生气宁可发泄出来而不要闷在肚内.
6.She is not so beautiful as charming.(=She is charming rather than beautiful.)
与其说她美倒不如说她迷人.
7.These are political rather than social matters.
这是政治问题而不是社会问题.
8.It is a telex rather than a letter.
与其说它是一封信,不如说它是一封电传.