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
TrishaTRISH-əEnglish
Ennius-Ancient Roman
Myra['mairə]
Percy['pə:si]
CherishCHER-ishEnglish
Augustin[ɔ:'gʌstin]