sore spot
Touchy subject matter
A sore spot is a sensitive area—literally a place on the body that hurts when touched, or figuratively a topic that provokes discomfort or defensiveness: Don't mention his ex-wife—it's a sore spot.
The phrase suggests vulnerability beneath the surface, something that hasn't fully healed.
- tenderSoft or sore
- bruiseDiscolored tissue injury
- woundCoiled, or an injury
- open woundUnhealed break in skin
- sensitiveEasily affected emotionally
raw · raw nerve · ache · pain · nerve · hit a nerve · touchy · weakness · vulnerability · emotional baggage · injury · festering · irritation · grievance · grudge · chip on shoulder · button · push buttons
- resentmentresentful, grudge, bitterness, rancor, spite
- conflictclash, fight, war, battle, dispute
- injuriesbruise, fracture, sprain, fractures, concussion
- annoyancesannoyance, annoyances, irritations, irritation, nuisance
- Troublesproblem, trouble, issue, setback, snag
- pointspoint, points, peak, peaks, tip
sore spotpoint of pride
Cherished personal accomplishment
strong suit · badge of honor · comfort zone · strength · crowning achievement
sore spotstrength
Power to exert force
strong point · strong suit · triumph · greatest hit · success story
sore, spot, sores, spots, sorely, soreness, sorer, sorest, spotted