touch a nerve (English, verb)
expansion: touch a nerve (third-person singular simple present touches a nerve, present participle touching a nerve, simple past and past participle touched a nerve)
Senses:
glosses: 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.
tags: idiomatic
Forms:
form: touches a nerve
tags: present
singular
third-person
form: touching a nerve
tags: participle
present
form: touched a nerve
tags: participle
past
form: touched a nerve
tags: past
form: hit a nerve
tags: alternative
form: strike a nerve
tags: alternative
form: touch a raw nerve
tags: alternative