- Succeeding or escaping by the narrowest possible margin; just barely achieving something.
Explanation
Origin
- Comes from the Bible, specifically the Book of Job (Job 19:20).
- In the King James Version, Job, having lost everything, says, My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth.
- Since teeth don't actually have skin, the phrase emphasizes an impossibly small or non-existent margin – he escaped with practically nothing.
- It signifies a very close call.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Squeaked by / Squeaked through (Managed to pass/succeed narrowly)
- Clutch (Often used to describe a successful action performed under pressure at the last moment, though not a direct synonym for the *result*)
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- By a cunt hair (Extremely vulgar, signifies an incredibly small margin) *Use with extreme caution*
- Saved my ass (If referring to narrowly avoiding a negative consequence)
Milder:
- Just made it
- It was touch and go (It was uncertain whether success would occur)
Situational Appropriateness
- Generally informal to neutral.
- Acceptable in most everyday conversations and many work contexts, unless the setting is highly formal.
- Avoid extremely vulgar alternatives in almost all professional or polite company.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Non-native speakers might be confused by the literal image of skin on teeth.
- Emphasize that it means just barely or narrowly.
Examples
- He passed the exam by the skin of his teeth.
- We caught the train by the skin of our teeth.
- The team won the game by the skin of their teeth in the last second.
Dialogue
Anna: Did you finish the report by the deadline?
Ben: Just barely! Submitted it with one minute to spare. Made it by the skin of my teeth.
Anna: Whoa, talk about cutting it close! You must be exhausted.
Ben: Totally. Need coffee now.
Social Media Examples
- Post: Survived that project deadline by the skin of my teeth! Time to collapse. #worklife #deadline #relief
- Tweet: My team won in overtime! By the skin of their teeth, but a win is a win! #sports #gameday #closecall
- Comment: Managed to grab the last ticket by the skin of my teeth! So excited for this concert. #luck
Response Patterns
- Wow, that was close!
- Phew! Lucky break.
- Tell me about it! (If agreeing with someone else using the phrase)
- Better than not making it at all!
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After hearing someone use it:
- What happened? Why was it so close?
- You must be relieved!
After using it oneself:
- Often followed by a sigh of relief or a brief explanation of why it was such a close call.
Conversation Starter
- No.
- Usually used to describe the outcome of a situation, not to start a conversation.
Intonation
- Often emphasizes skin and teeth.
- Can be said with a tone of relief or slight disbelief at the narrow success.
- We made it, but only by the SKIN of our TEETH.
Generation Differences
- Widely understood and used across generations. The biblical origin is often unknown, but the meaning is clear.
Regional Variations
- Common in all major English-speaking regions.