The phrase “by the skin of one’s teeth” is a common idiom that is used to describe a situation where someone has narrowly avoided a disaster or a failure. It is a fascinating phrase that has its roots in the English language and has been used for centuries.
Definitions
The phrase “by the skin of one’s teeth” refers to a situation where someone has just managed to succeed or survive, but only just. It is an expression that is used to describe a situation where someone has narrowly avoided a disaster or failure.
Origin
The origin of the phrase “by the skin of one’s teeth” is not clear. Some people believe that it comes from the Bible, where Job says, “My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth.” Others believe that it comes from an old French expression, “par la peau des dents,” which means “by the skin of the teeth.”
Meaning in different dictionaries
- Merriam-Webster: “by a very narrow margin : barely”.
- Oxford Dictionary: “by the narrowest of margins”.
- Cambridge Dictionary: “only just”.
Associations
The phrase “by the skin of one’s teeth” is often associated with situations where someone has just managed to avoid a disaster or a failure. It is a phrase that is used to describe a situation where someone has narrowly escaped something terrible.
Synonyms
- Barely.
- Just.
- Narrowly.
- Scarcely.
- Almost.
Antonyms
- Easily.
- Comfortably.
- Securely.
- Safely.
The same root words
The phrase “by the skin of one’s teeth” has no root words.
Example Sentences
- I managed to pass the exam by the skin of my teeth.
- The team won the game by the skin of their teeth.
- He escaped the accident by the skin of his teeth.
- She finished the project by the skin of her teeth.
The phrase “by the skin of one’s teeth” is an interesting idiom that has been used for centuries to describe situations where someone has narrowly avoided a disaster or a failure. It is a phrase that is still commonly used today and is a testament to the enduring power of the English language.