By the skin of your teeth

You are wondering about the meaning of the phrase By the skin of your teeth, maybe you heard it in a TV show, movie or theater play. Although this idiom is not used very often, it enriches your capacity of expression and strengthens communication. In which case is the expression By the skin of your teeth used and what is its meaning?

Meaning of "By the skin of your teeth"

Meaning

The phrase “by the skin of one’s teeth” is an idiom used to describe someone barely achieving or just avoiding something. It is often used to indicate the idea that something is just barely saved from disaster, almost to the point of being too late. In other words, it is used to describe an individual who narrowly escapes a dangerous or difficult situation.

Etymology

The origin of the phrase “by the skin of one’s teeth” is found in the Bible. In Job 19:20, job pleads to God: “My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth.” This verse is interpreted by scholars as Job’s near-death experience and impending salvation. By using this phrase in this context, it is inferred that Job is barely able to escape death, hence the phrase “by the skin of one’s teeth.”

Usage

The phrase “by the skin of one's teeth” is generally used to describe a situation where someone barely manages to avoid a dangerous or difficult situation. It is often used in a humorous way, to indicate the fact that despite all odds, the person was able to escape their precarious situation.

Example Sentences

• I managed to pass my exam by the skin of my teeth!
• He was able to escape the accident by the skin of his teeth.
• We made the deadline by the skin of our teeth.

From One Language to Another: Idioms in Translation

Translating idioms from one language to another can be a tricky task, as the cultural context behind an idiom can be difficult to capture. For example, the French phrase "avoir le cafard" translates to "to have the cockroach," which means to feel down or depressed. Similarly, the Chinese idiom "????" (j?ng d? zh? w?) translates to "frog at the bottom of a well," which refers to someone with a narrow view of the world.