touch 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.

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Meanings

verbtouch a raw nerve (third-person singular simple present touches a raw nerve, present participle touching a raw nerve, simple past and past participle touched a raw nerve)

present singular third person touches a raw nerve · participle present touching a raw nerve · participle past touched a raw nerve · past touched a raw nerve

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

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

MLA

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

Chicago

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

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