clutch
push one's luck
land on one's feet
fall flat on one's face
beef
throw things at the wall and see what sticks
flatfoot
pull off
flame out
strike out looking
difficultate
beat the odds
come up from behind
push shit uphill
manage
take one's chance
do a Bradbury
go so far as
baffle
come off
rub along
fight a losing battle
go phut
square the circle
go down in flames
bring off
fall on one's face
mismaneuver
give someone a hard time
bungle
slip through
not win for losing
take on water
make hard work of
miss
get into trouble
fimble
strike out
muddle through
let the grass grow under one's feet
hit the mark
ascend
come through
outfumble