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Meaning of by the skin of one's teeth | Babel Free

Noun CEFR C2

Definitions

Barely; closely; by a narrow margin; with nothing to spare.

idiomatic

Equivalents

Deutsch mit Ach und Krach mit Hängen und Würgen mit knapper Not
Ελληνικά παρά τρίχα
Español con las justas dejando pelos en la gatera por el canto de un duro
Suomi hädin tuskin hiuksenhienosti juuri ja juuri
Français à fleur de corde d’un poil de justesse
Italiano per il rotto della cuffia per un pelo
Polski o mały włos
Português por um fio por um triz
Русский едва едва-едва еле
Svenska på håret
ไทย เส้นยาแดงผ่าแปด

Examples

“I passed the test by the skin of my teeth.”
“I would have liked to have hung around in Birmingham, but my connections are tight owing to a points failure, and I make the CrossCountry Class 170 to Derby by the skin of my teeth.”

CEFR level

C2
Mastery
This word is part of the CEFR C2 vocabulary — mastery level.

See also

by the sound of it by the strong hand by the ton by the way by their fruits you will know them by trade

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