English

Verb

save someone's skin

1. (idiomatic, informal) To save someone's life.
2. to prevent an undesirable occurrence
   • 2010 December 29, Chris Whyatt, “Chelsea 1 - 0 Bolton”, in BBC:

     Centre-back Branislav Ivanovic then took a wild slash at the ball but his captain John Terry saved Chelsea's skin by hacking the ball clear for a corner with Kevin Davies set to strike from just six yards out.

Synonyms

• save someone's bacon