tirer son épingle du jeu

== French == === Etymology === 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. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ti.ʁe sɔ̃.n‿e.pɛ̃.ɡlə dy ʒø/ === Verb === tirer son épingle du jeu (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 ==== See also ==== tirer les marrons du feu