Идиома: by the skin of one's teeth разг.
Перевод: еле-еле, едва
Пример:
We were able to catch the train but only by the skin of our teeth.
Мы еле-еле смогли успеть на поезд.
He won the election by one vote, by the skin of his teeth.
Он едва выиграл выборы, всего на один голос.