tirer son épingle du jeu

Literally, “to pull one's pin out of the game”, a reference to a 15th century children's game with pins and a ball, similar to mikado.

• IPA^(key): /ti.ʁe sɔ̃.n‿e.pɛ̃.ɡlə dy ʒø/

• Audio

  (file)

tirer son épingle du jeu

1. (figuratively) to play one's cards right; to make it out of a potentially bad situation relatively unscathed; to pull out skilfully while the going is still good

• tirer les marrons du feu