hit a nerve
Strike emotional wound
To hit a nerve is to touch on something emotionally sensitive, often unintentionally.
The phrase suggests finding a vulnerable spot that produces a strong reaction: I must have hit a nerve when I mentioned her ex.
Also appears as touch a nerve or strike a nerve.
The response reveals the nerve was already raw.
- touchyEasily upset or offended
- offendCause hurt feelings
- sensitiveEasily affected emotionally
- sore spotSensitive topic or area
- provokeIncite a response
get under skin · irritation · called out · annoyance · vexation · repression · truth · resonance · defensive · knee jerk reaction · shame · wound · guilt · anger · outrage · struck · trigger · subconscious
hit a nervego in one ear and out the other
Heard without being remembered
bounce off · miss the mark · fall on deaf ears · go over someone's head · fall flat
hit a nerveput at ease
Relieve worry or tension
soothe · reassure · comfort · calm · take the edge off
hit a nervetread carefully
Move with deliberate caution
strike a chord · handle with kid gloves · affirm · validate · let sleeping dogs lie