save (one's) skin

save (one's) skin

To rescue one from failure, danger, or disaster; to prevent something bad from happening to someone. Thanks for bringing me some extra cash—you really saved my skin, there! The company is in dire need of new investors to save their skin.
See also: save, skin
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

save someone's skin

 and save someone's neck; save one's bacon
Fig. to save someone from injury, embarrassment, or punishment. I saved my skin by getting the job done on time. Thanks for saving my neck! I would have fallen down the stairs if you hadn't held my arm.
See also: save, skin
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

save your skin

or

save your own skin

COMMON If someone tries to save their skin or save their own skin, they try to save themselves from something dangerous or unpleasant, often without caring what happens to anyone else. It looked to me like a desperate attempt to save his skin. It's an announcement that's got a lot more to do with the government trying to save its own skin than trying to help the victims.
See also: save, skin
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • leave the door open
  • leave the door open for
  • leave the door open for (something or doing something)
  • the boy who cried wolf
  • have half an eye on (someone or something)
  • have one eye on (someone or something)
  • have one eye/half an eye on something
  • keep half an eye on (someone or something)