By the skin of your teeth
Meaning
To succeed or escape a difficult situation by the narrowest possible margin.
Origin
The enduring phrase "by the skin of your teeth" originates from one of the oldest books in the Bible, the Book of Job. In Chapter 19, verse 20, Job, suffering immensely and reduced to a skeletal figure, declares, "My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth." This poignant declaration describes an escape so narrow, a survival so tenuous, that he implies he has nothing left but the fragile covering of his gums or even the enamel on his teeth. Far from a literal escape by dental covering, Job's words painted a powerful picture of barely making it out alive, a sliver of existence remaining. This ancient biblical image has transcended its religious context, becoming a universal metaphor for achieving success or escaping danger by the absolute narrowest of margins.
Examples
- I passed the final exam by the skin of my teeth, barely scraping together enough points to get a C.
- The climber made it to the next ledge by the skin of his teeth, narrowly avoiding a disastrous fall into the canyon below.