- Meaning
- This idiom describes narrowly succeeding or escaping a situation, with only the slightest margin, as if clinging by the thin skin of one’s teeth. It conveys a close call or near-failure, often used in dramatic, personal, or professional contexts to highlight precarious victories. The phrase carries a tone of relief, tension, or thrill, reflecting cultural values of perseverance and the human tendency to teeter on the edge of disaster. Its dental imagery evokes a desperate grasp, resonating in scenarios like last-second wins or escapes. The idiom captures the thrill of narrow success, making it a gripping metaphor for tight situations.
- Origin
- The phrase originates from the Bible, Job 19:20 (King James Version, 1611), stating ‘I am escaped with the skin of my teeth.’ Its English use was cemented in the 17th century, with John Milton’s *Paradise Regained* (1671) alluding to it. The idiom gained traction in 19th-century literature, notably in Herman Melville’s *Moby-Dick* (1851), for perilous moments. Its spread was amplified by adventure stories and 20th-century media, especially in *The New York Times* for sports and war. Its adoption across English-speaking cultures stems from its vivid imagery and universal relevance to close calls.
- Variants
-
- Skin of your teeth
- By the skin of my teeth
- Escape by the skin of your teeth
- Examples
-
- She passed the exam by the skin of her teeth.
- Skin of your teeth, he escaped the fire just in time.
- By the skin of my teeth, I caught the last train home.
- Escape by the skin of your teeth, they did, avoiding bankruptcy.
- He won the race by the skin of his teeth, barely edging out the competition.
|