By the skin of your teeth Meaning in English
expression
BY thuh SKIN uhv yor TEETH
BY thuh SKIN ov yaw TEETH
Definition
This expression means to succeed or escape a bad situation with only the smallest possible margin; almost failing or not making it.
Usage & Nuances
It is informal and often used for dramatic effect when you almost fail, lose, or miss something but just manage to succeed. Not literal; does not reference actual teeth.
Spanish: por los pelos - por un peloPortuguese (BR): por um triz - por pouco - por um fioPortuguese (PT): por um triz - à justa - por um fioChinese (Simplified): 勉强 - 千钧一发Chinese (Traditional): 勉強 - 千鈞一髮Hindi: किसी तरह से - बाल-बालArabic: بشق الأنفس - بصعوبة بالغةBengali: লগभग অসম্ভবভাবে - কোনোমতেRussian: чудом - еле-еле - с трудомJapanese: かろうじて - ギリギリでVietnamese: suýt soát - vừa kịp - sát nútKorean: 간신히 - 가까스로Turkish: kıl payı - ucu ucunaUrdu: بال بال بچنا - بمشکلIndonesian: dengan susah payah - nyaris saja
Example Sentences
He passed the exam by the skin of his teeth.
basic
I caught the train by the skin of my teeth.
basic
They survived the accident by the skin of their teeth.
basic
Wow, you made the deadline by the skin of your teeth!
natural
We won the game by the skin of our teeth.
natural
Honestly, I finished my homework by the skin of my teeth last night.
natural