BY THE SKIN OF MY TEETH.
By Kandase
@Kandae11 (53679)
August 10, 2017 7:37am CST
What does the expression "by the skin of one's teeth" mean?. It means barely succeeding in something - only just making it. And that will be my situation at the end of this month - if I make the minimum payout at all - it will be by "the skin of my teeth".
I wrote about the internet problems I have been experiencing over the past three months which make it difficult for me to be here as often as I would like - and since posting that discussion, there has been no improvement. I think the internet system in my area is overburdened - and unless the Company moves forward quickly with upgrades I really don't see it getting any better.
One good thing I have discovered is that I get a better reception during non peak hours. However capitalizing on that fact would mean that I must disrupt my usual sleep pattern which is - early to bed, early to rise- and Mylot during the late night, early morning hours. I hope I won't really have to do that - and there is a change for the better soon.
I am not desperate, but I like the challenge of sweeping past the minimum every month end. Do you like challenges? Do you often succeed in things "by the skin of your teeth"?
22 people like this
22 responses
@IreneVincent (15962)
• United States
10 Aug 17
That expression "the skin of my teeth" actually came from the Bible and scientists have proven that your teeth DO have a sort of "skin" on them.
Job 19:20 says: "To my skin and to my flesh my bones actually cleave, and I escape with "the skin of my teeth."
3 people like this
@IreneVincent (15962)
• United States
10 Aug 17
@Kandae11 It's easy to miss something in the Bible, especially if it's only mentioned one time.
1 person likes this
@Kandae11 (53679)
•
10 Aug 17
@IreneVincent To be honest, I know the story of Job, but I never fully read the Book - just a few chapters here and there.
1 person likes this
@buenavida (9985)
• Sweden
10 Aug 17
I've read about the explanaition of this expression a long time ago, when studying Job's book.. It may have been a common expression in his time.??. Had to check my New World Bible translation.. Job's book was written by Moses about 1473 BCE in the desert..
2 people like this
@Kandae11 (53679)
•
10 Aug 17
I've used it so often but I have never really considered its roots until @IreneVincent brought it to my attention in her response. Thank you for sharing, I have learned something today.
1 person likes this
@sabtraversa (12952)
• Italy
10 Aug 17
That's a curious expression, here we say "by a hair", shorter at least. 
I haven't made the dollar yet this month, but that's been lack of will and being sick. 
Crooked internet sucks, but it's worth changing sleep patterns for the Almighty myLot. 
I would do it myself.
I like challenges as well, but they tend to be stressful. I'm not sure I want to be stressed this month. 
I haven't made the dollar yet this month, but that's been lack of will and being sick.
Crooked internet sucks, but it's worth changing sleep patterns for the Almighty myLot.
I would do it myself.
I like challenges as well, but they tend to be stressful. I'm not sure I want to be stressed this month. 1 person likes this
@sabtraversa (12952)
• Italy
10 Aug 17
@Kandae11 I hope your internet improves as much as I am, I'm feeling better than yesterday and hopefully worse than tomorrow.
A new internet rant discussion should fix the problem then, worth the experiment I guess. 
A new internet rant discussion should fix the problem then, worth the experiment I guess. 1 person likes this
@Kandae11 (53679)
•
10 Aug 17
Some challenges I would accept - certainly not all. Anyway, I mentioned this when I was responding on another discussion - strangely enough - after posting this discussion, the internet has cut out only twice! - I would say that is a big improvement. I only hope it keeps up, because I much prefer to sleep at night. Hope you are feeling better now.
Anyway, I mentioned this when I was responding on another discussion - strangely enough - after posting this discussion, the internet has cut out only twice! - I would say that is a big improvement. I only hope it keeps up, because I much prefer to sleep at night. Hope you are feeling better now.1 person likes this
@Jeanniemaries (8237)
• United States
10 Aug 17
Yes, I work best under pressure. I never understood how that expression originated, I knew what it meant but who said it first and why???
1 person likes this
@Jeanniemaries (8237)
• United States
10 Aug 17
I searched twice though your comment and could not find a comment from either of these people, so am still in the dark.
2 people like this
@Kandae11 (53679)
•
10 Aug 17
@Jeanniemaries That is strange, they are both there. In fact I rechecked them to print the names correctly. Look again.
@Kandae11 (53679)
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10 Aug 17
I used it quite a bit without knowing where it actually came from - but through this discussion I was enlightened by @IreneVincent and @buenavida
2 people like this
@allknowing (130064)
• India
11 Aug 17
For me challenges are my lifeline. What is life without challenges I convert every adversity into a challenge.
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
10 Aug 17
I would not disturb the little sleep I get for here no haha.
I am so sorry this internet is still not good for you there Kandase.
Wish they could fix it.
Not as a rule, I try to overcome issues before the last minute.
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
10 Aug 17
@Kandae11 Yes sleep is vital.
1 person likes this
@bluesa (15023)
• Johannesburg, South Africa
10 Aug 17
Sorry you're still having problems with your internet. I know how frustrating that is because I am having a lot of trouble with Wi-Fi and I think I might not reach my goal here either this month. I hope things improve all around.
1 person likes this
@Freelanzer (10745)
• Canada
11 Aug 17
Sure hope you get better internet service soon.I am sure I have been in those situations many times
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
11 Aug 17
Fairly often, yes. Sorry that you have such poor internet there. I am having trouble keeping up lately with other things happening. I am gone for the next two days to visit my daughter.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
11 Aug 17
Yes I like a good challenge, I have before made it by the skin of my teeth.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
11 Aug 17
I like challenges if they are not too stressful. Nice expression - seeing as I just lost my first tooth as an adult
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
10 Aug 17
I guess it means making a deadline or accomplishing something by not too much as the skin of the teeth is very thin or small. I think I remember reading that the saying comes from the Bible. Did you ever hear that?
Sorry to hear that you are still having problems with your internet.
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
10 Aug 17
I saw Alice's comment with a full explanation of the origin of the expression.
3 people like this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
11 Aug 17
@Kandae11 I've read it many times and am still finding things in it that I've missed or forgotten.
@Kandae11 (53679)
•
10 Aug 17
@1hopefulman I do read the Bible, but I learned of that explanation only today through Alice's response.I admit I have only read a few chapters in the book of Job.
2 people like this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
10 Aug 17
Just taking care of all the critters pretty much fits that statement @Kandae11 . 
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