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