hit a raw nerve

A form of touch a nerve — To make a remark or perform a deed which produces a strong response, especially an emotional response such as anxiety or annoyance, because it calls to mind something which has been a source of concern or embarrassment.

Ask AI about this wordChatGPTClaudePerplexityGoogle AIGrok

Meanings

verbhit a raw nerve (third-person singular simple present hits a raw nerve, present participle hitting a raw nerve, simple past and past participle hit a raw nerve)

present singular third person hits a raw nerve · participle present hitting a raw nerve

  1. alternativeAlternative form of touch a nerve.
Cite this entry
APA

hit a raw nerve. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/hit%20a%20raw%20nerve

MLA

“hit a raw nerve.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/hit%20a%20raw%20nerve. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “hit a raw nerve,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/hit%20a%20raw%20nerve.

Source: hit a raw nerve on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.