def _validate_where(w):
if not (isinstance(w, (Expr, str)) or is_list_like(w)):<EOL><INDENT>raise TypeError("<STR_LIT>"<EOL>"<STR_LIT>")<EOL><DEDENT>return w<EOL>
Validate that the where statement is of the right type.

The type may either be String, Expr, or list-like of Exprs.

Parameters
----------
w : String term expression, Expr, or list-like of Exprs.

Returns
-------
where : The original where clause if the check was successful.

Raises
------
TypeError : An invalid data type was passed in for w (e.g. dict).