"By the skin of one's teeth" is an idiomatic expression used to convey the idea of escaping or achieving something narrowly or with great difficulty. It means to accomplish or survive something by the narrowest of margins or just barely. The phrase emphasizes a close call or a near miss.
Originating from the Book of Job in the Bible, where it is mentioned in chapter 19, verse 20, this phrase is believed to allude to the sensation of only having the thinnest layer of skin left on one's teeth after a challenging or close encounter. It signifies a moment of tension, peril, or struggle.
The idiom is commonly used figuratively to describe situations where success or survival was achieved by the narrowest of margins or luck. For example, one might say, "I managed to catch the last train by the skin of my teeth" to indicate that they barely made it on board.
"By the skin of one's teeth" suggests that the individual involved was at the brink of failure, defeat, or disaster but somehow managed to overcome the odds. It signifies a resiliency, resourcefulness, or sheer luck in escaping a difficult or potentially catastrophic situation.
In summary, "by the skin of one's teeth" means narrowly or barely succeeding, surviving, or avoiding disaster in a challenging or difficult situation.
