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
Colette[kəu'let]
Katherine[kæðərin]
MaijaMIE-yahFinnish
Hogan['həugən]
Anantha-Tamil, Indian, Telugu, Kannada
Swanhilda-German