Monday idiom. By the skin of my teeth

Hello Puddings! 

This Monday I almost didn't post anything however I did it by the skin of my teeth. It has being a busy month and with the exams just around the corner my time is running rather short, however this Monday I manage to keep my appointment with you and our idioms! 

"She got in the train by the skin of her teeth."

"We made it for the deadline by the skin of our teeth"

I'm sure you've guessed its meaning by now but just in case: By the skin of someone teeth means 'just in time' or 'just barely'. We all know teeth don't have skin and so the idiom refers to such lack.

 It was first written in the Geneva Bible, 1560, Job 19:20 - literal translation of the original Hebrew - "I haue escaped with the skinne of my tethe"(1). A pious man, King James Version, tested by the god, lost family, friends, money and even health. Nonetheless, at the end he still kept his faith, and he was supposed to say: "My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth"(2).

Despite its biblical origins it simply means 'Just barely' nowadays.

Have a jolly week and get everything done not by the skin of your teeth!

BP

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(1) http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/83000.html

(2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skin_of_my_teeth