Meaning of "Skin of Your Teeth": Definition & Origin

"Skin of your teeth" means narrowly escaping disaster or failure and often connotes a close shave. It can also be used in a more general sense to describe a situation in which someone has barely managed to avoid something negative or unpleasant.

The saying is thought to have originated in the early 1900s and was popularized by its use in sports broadcasting. It is now used in both casual conversation and writing.