C1idiomemotionsIELTS-friendly
touch a nerve
USUK
to mention something that upsets someone because it is sensitive for them
Also 'hit a nerve' and 'touch a raw nerve'. Compare 'strike a chord', which means people agree or feel moved.
In context
My question about his exam results clearly touched a nerve; he went silent.
The article about housing prices touched a nerve with young readers.
More idioms about emotions
- a bitter pill to swallowan unpleasant fact or situation that is hard to accept
- a bundle of nervesvery nervous and worried
- a chip on your shouldera lasting anger because you feel you were treated unfairly in the past
- a knot in your stomacha tight, sick feeling in your body caused by worry or fear
- a lump in your throata tight feeling in your throat because you are so moved that you might cry