hit a nerve



hit/touch a (raw) nerve

to upset someone by talking about a particular subject I think I hit a nerve with my comments about divorce. She suddenly looked distressed and I knew I'd touched a raw nerve.
See strain every nerve
See also: hit, nerve

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Jaala-Biblical
DomhnallDO-nahlScottish, Irish
Steren-Cornish
Rufaro-Southern African, Shona
Nymphodora-Ancient Greek
Viriato-Portuguese