by the skin on my teeth - what the hell does it mean? - GoFuckYourself.com

X-Wing · 03-08-2004, 10:47 AM

I've heard this expression in a song and in a movie, never known what exactly it means. Can some tell me?

Thanks

InsaneMidget · 03-08-2004, 10:49 AM

just barely made it.

corvette · 03-08-2004, 10:50 AM

there is more than one way to skin a cat

Yo Adrian · 03-08-2004, 10:51 AM

You can't win for losing

mule · 03-08-2004, 10:51 AM

the skin "of" my teeth, by the way, not "on"

chodadog · 03-08-2004, 10:52 AM

"The source of the phrase "by the skin of one's teeth" is indeed the Book of Job, although the precise phrase Job used was "My bone cleaveth to my skin, and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth" (not "by"). Just what the "skin" of one's teeth might be is a bit unclear, but it probably refers to the thin porcelain exterior of the tooth, not the gums. Job evidently kept his teeth, but just barely. It is also possible that he was saying that the margin of his escape was as narrow as the "skin" of a tooth is shallow -- the equivalent of a "hair's breadth." In any case, Job clearly meant that he'd had a very hard time of it, and the phrase has been used ever since to mean a very narrow or arduous escape."

From http://www.word-detective.com/100297.html

hova · 03-08-2004, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by corvett
there is more than one way to skin a cat

Serious?? Didn't know that

X-Wing · 03-08-2004, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by chodadog
"The source of the phrase "by the skin of one's teeth" is indeed the Book of Job, although the precise phrase Job used was "My bone cleaveth to my skin, and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth" (not "by"). Just what the "skin" of one's teeth might be is a bit unclear, but it probably refers to the thin porcelain exterior of the tooth, not the gums. Job evidently kept his teeth, but just barely. It is also possible that he was saying that the margin of his escape was as narrow as the "skin" of a tooth is shallow -- the equivalent of a "hair's breadth." In any case, Job clearly meant that he'd had a very hard time of it, and the phrase has been used ever since to mean a very narrow or arduous escape."

From http://www.word-detective.com/100297.html

Nice link man, thanks.

chodadog · 03-08-2004, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by X-Wing

Nice link man, thanks.

No problem. I love that site. Every time i hear an odd saying, i see if he's written about it. He sometimes gets extremlely in depth with his research. Very impressive!

03-08-2004, 10:47 AM	#1
X-Wing Confirmed User Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 768	by the skin on my teeth - what the hell does it mean? I've heard this expression in a song and in a movie, never known what exactly it means. Can some tell me? Thanks

03-08-2004, 10:50 AM	#3
corvette Confirmed User Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: scottsdale Posts: 7,880	there is more than one way to skin a cat __________________ If you need a good company for check writing services, then check out checkissuing, and for webhosting, check out Phoenix NAP

03-08-2004, 10:51 AM	#4
Yo Adrian Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,326	You can't win for losing __________________ Adult SEO Partners - Full service Adult SEO Agency serving some of the biggest names in the industry.

03-08-2004, 10:51 AM	#5
mule Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: hamsterdam Posts: 6,085	the skin "of" my teeth, by the way, not "on" __________________ Converting like a mofo

03-08-2004, 10:52 AM	#6
chodadog Confirmed User Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 9,736	"The source of the phrase "by the skin of one's teeth" is indeed the Book of Job, although the precise phrase Job used was "My bone cleaveth to my skin, and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth" (not "by"). Just what the "skin" of one's teeth might be is a bit unclear, but it probably refers to the thin porcelain exterior of the tooth, not the gums. Job evidently kept his teeth, but just barely. It is also possible that he was saying that the margin of his escape was as narrow as the "skin" of a tooth is shallow -- the equivalent of a "hair's breadth." In any case, Job clearly meant that he'd had a very hard time of it, and the phrase has been used ever since to mean a very narrow or arduous escape." From http://www.word-detective.com/100297.html __________________ 26 + 6 = 1

03-08-2004, 10:49 AM	#2
InsaneMidget Confirmed User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Ontario Posts: 3,767	just barely made it.