“By the Skin of Your Teeth”: Meaning, Origin, and Usage

“By the skin of your teeth” means narrowly escaping disaster or failure—a very close call.

Origin

Biblical: Job 19:20 (KJV) – “My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth.” Teeth have no skin; the phrase emphasizes extreme narrowness.

Modern Usage

• “We made the flight by the skin of our teeth.”
• “The bill passed by the skin of its teeth.”

Used in casual and journalistic contexts; conveys relief and precariousness.