no skin off one's teeth
Of no consequence to one.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“If you want to change the plan, it is no skin off my teeth.”
“It is no skin off her teeth if you decide to cancel the meeting.”
“It is no skin off my teeth if they want to sit somewhere else.”
“I do not mind if you borrow my car for the weekend; it is no skin off my teeth.”
“You can choose the blue paint or the green one for the kitchen because it is no skin off my teeth either way.”
“The store manager said it was no skin off his teeth when the customer asked to return the unopened box for a full refund.”
“While the board members argued over the minor policy change, the director remained indifferent, noting that the outcome was no skin off his teeth.”
The expression arose from a linguistic collision between the idioms no skin off one’s back, or occasionally one's nose, and by the skin of one's teeth. It represents a rare instance where two distinct metaphors regarding bodily surface area were fused into a single, if anatomically confused, sentiment. The resulting phrase retains the indifference of the former and the narrow margins of the latter.
- 01
abound in one's own sense
To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.
- 02
ace up one's sleeve
A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.
- 03
act one's age
To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.
- 04
act one's age, not one's shoe size
Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).
- 05
afraid of one's own shadow
Exceptionally timid.
- 06
air one's dirty laundry in public
To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.
- 07
air one's dirty linen in public
Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.
- 08
albatross around one's neck
A characteristic, possession, associate, or previous deed that hinders one's ability to succeed.
Last updated August 10, 2026