"By the skin of teeth" is a phrase used to indicate a narrow escape from a difficult situation. Interestingly, the word "teeth" in this case is actually spelled as it sounds. In IPA phonetic transcription, it would be represented as /tiθ/. The "th" sound in "teeth" is pronounced with the tip of the tongue slightly protruding through the front teeth. Even though the phrase may seem bizarre or confusing on the surface, its use in literature and colloquial language has persisted for centuries.
"By the skin of one's teeth" is an idiomatic expression that indicates escaping a disastrous or difficult situation narrowly and by the smallest of margins. This phrase conveys a sense of intense relief and emphasizes how close someone was to failure or disaster.
Originating from the Book of Job in the Bible, specifically Job 19:20, the phrase has evolved to become a familiar proverb. It refers to the extremely thin layer or narrow margin represented by the "skin of one's teeth," suggesting that only a minuscule amount of luck, skill, or effort allowed someone to prevail in a challenging circumstance.
Used in both literal and figurative contexts, this phrase often describes a situation where success or survival seemed improbable or impossible. For instance, surviving a life-threatening accident with only minor injuries or passing an exam with a score just above the passing mark. It implies that whatever success or escape was achieved was achieved by the slimmest of margins.
Overall, "by the skin of one's teeth" encapsulates the notion of narrowly avoiding failure or catastrophe, underscoring the precariousness of the situation and highlighting the relief experienced by those who manage to come through difficult situations with only a fraction to spare.