skin of your teeth

by the skin of (one's) teeth

Barely. Often used to describe something that almost didn't happen. Oh man, my car wouldn't start this morning—I just made it here by the skin of my teeth!

skin of your teeth

The narrowest of margins. Job 19:20 has its protagonist say, “I am nothing but skin and bones; I have escaped with only the skin of my teeth.” That is to say, Job's gums, the skin that held his teeth in place, which would indeed have been a narrow margin.

See also: of, skin, teeth

References in periodicals archive ?

You've escaped immediate custody by the skin of your teeth.

Dad's courtroom outburst saves son from prison; Judge hears yob 'will not survive'

It's only by the skin of your teeth you're not going to custody.

No jail for attacker on body-building steroids

And the chairman of the bench added: "You have just missed custody by the skin of your teeth.

POSTMAN STOLE FROM THE MAIL; Worker pinched money from cards

He said: "You have taken a great deal of money from the public for selfish means and it is by the skin of your teeth you are not going to prison today.

MUM WALKS FREE AFTER pounds 30K FRAUD

It's not unusual here in recent times to be hanging on by the skin of your teeth or maybe I should just say fingertips, so I'm pleased to have won.

O'Neill relieved to be in fifth round

He told them: 'You've escaped by the skin of your teeth and are very lucky to be going home tonight.

'LUCKY YOU'RE GOING HOME'

Putting Robertson on probation, with 100 hours of community service, Sheriff Cairns told him: "You have avoided going to jail by the skin of your teeth.

SKEAN DHU SLASHER; Bouncer attacked by kilted wedding guest

He told Baker: "It is only by the skin of your teeth you are going out the side door and not the back door.

CCTV riot student escapes jail; COURTS

You have escaped (prison) by the skin of your teeth.

Man aimed rifle at teens on roof; COURT: Judge tells provoked householder: 'You escaped jail by skin of teeth'

The judge told him: "You have escaped a custodial sentence by the skin of your teeth and I hope you appreciate that.

Spared prison

Recorder Abdul Iqbal told them: "You have been spared jail by the skin of your teeth.

SORTED! INVESTIGATE

He warned her: "You have escaped the clang of the prison gates by the skin of your teeth.

'Incredible' jail escape

Judge John Crocker told him: "You have escaped prison by the skin of your teeth.

THATCHER VANDAL IS GEM THIEF

Passing sentence, Captain Carolyn Stait, said: "You avoided dismissal by the skin of your teeth.