by the skin of (one's) 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!
See also: of, skin, teeth

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Jolenejo-LEENEnglish
Sotaso:-tahJapanese
AnnukkaAHN-nook-kahFinnish
MichaŁMEE-khahwPolish
Sadia-Urdu, Bengali
Toomas-Estonian