4 weeks ago - In the second clause, he uses the ... the teeth are set (Latin: os maxilla and os mandibula)". Therefore, Blumenthal argues, the correct reading is: "My skin and flesh cling to my bones, and I am left with (only) my skull", giving a stark description of the advanced stage of Job's disease. In modern times, "by the skin of ...

Just barely, very narrowly, as in Doug passed the exam by the skin of his teeth. A related term appears in the Bible (Job 19:20), where Job says, “I am escaped with the skin of my teeth,” presumably meaning he got away with nothing at all. Today the phrase using by is used most often to ...

3 weeks ago - BY THE SKIN OF YOUR TEETH meaning: 1. If you do something by the skin of your teeth, you only just succeed in doing it: 2. If you do…. Learn more.

Answer (1 of 2): It’s become a saying meaning “by very slim odds”. Generally the whole phrase is “escaped by the skin of his teeth”, which means you barely escaped a situation intact. I was told growing up that it referred to a layer of “skin” over your teeth — which would have ...

We escaped the raging rioters by the skin of our teeth. Origin: This phrase first appeared in English in 1560 in the Geneva Bible, in Job 19:20. It provides a literal translation of the original Hebrew. Since teeth have no skin, the expression refers to the smallest possible measure. ... The origin of the phrase comes from Job who was afflicted with a skin disease on his entire body – except his gums.

September 11, 2016 - We use the expression “by the skin of my teeth” as a synonym for “barely” or “narrowly.” It is most commonly used to describe a closely-fought but narrow victory or a close but ultimately harmless encounter with danger.

Just barely, very narrowly, as in Doug passed the exam by the skin of his teeth. A related term appears in the Bible (Job 19:20), where Job says, "I am escaped with the skin of my teeth," presumably meaning he got away with nothing at all.

January 3, 2024 - It says, “My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth.” There is an alternative version in the Geneva Bible that reads: “I have escaped with the skinne of my tethe.” In this original version, the phrase is referring to the advanced stage of Job’s disease and the fact that he’s left, metaphorically or not, with only his skull.” Since the lines have changed meaning to refer to a close call or a very narrow margin. “By the skin of your teeth” should be used when you’re talking about yourself, or someone else, who was very close to not accomplishing something that they wanted to accomplish.

March 15, 2023 - If you do something by the skin of your teeth, you only just manage to do it. It’s unclear exactly where the phrase originated, but is believed to come from the book of Job in the Bible.

September 17, 2024 - By the skin of his teeth, he avoided the falling tree branch.

If you do something by the skin of your teeth, you just manage to do it. He won, but only by the skin of his teeth.

July 26, 2025 - The phrase “by the skin of one’s teeth” has a biblical origin. It is found in the Book of Job, specifically Job 19:20, which reads: In this context, Job is expressing his profound suffering and the fact that he has barely survived his trials and tribulations.

By this point, Job has suffered through an illness that has left him very thin (skin and bones) but he expresses thanks that he has “escaped with the skin of my teeth”. So the phrase has come to mean barely avoiding something (usually something bad) or barely succeeding at something.

August 31, 2023 - The origin of “by the skin of my teeth” comes from the King James Bible translation of Job 19:20, which says, “My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth.” · Previously, Job had lived a righteous life with a large family and a wealth of servants and livestock, but his righteousness was put to the test by Satan.