by the skin of your teeth

Register · Informal Informal — used in casual, everyday conversation among friends and family. Avoid in formal writing or professional settings. CEFR B2

Post

Figurative meaning

By the narrowest possible margin; only just barely.

Why this phrase?

Teeth have no skin, so the margin is impossibly thin.

Example

“We caught the last train by the skin of our teeth.”

Dictionary details

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

keep your fingers crossed Informal · CEFR A2

To hope strongly that something good will happen.

break a leg Informal · CEFR B1

A way of wishing someone good luck, especially before a performance.

hit the jackpot Neutral · CEFR B1

To gain a remarkably favorable result, usually unexpectedly or through luck.

as luck would have it Neutral · CEFR B2

By a fortunate coincidence, often introducing an unexpectedly helpful event.

draw the short straw Neutral · CEFR B2

to be selected, often by chance, for an unwanted task or outcome

land on your feet Neutral · CEFR B2

to recover safely from a difficult situation

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

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