# no skin off one's teeth

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/no-skin-off-ones-teeth
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Of no consequence to one.

## Examples

- 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.

## Origin

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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.