cut to the quick

cut someone to the quick and cut someone to the bone 

1. Lit. to slice the flesh of someone or some animal clear through to the underlying layer of flesh or to the bone. With the very sharp knife, David cut the beast to the quick in one blow. He cut his finger to the quick with the sharp knife.

2. Fig. to injure someone emotionally. (See also cut something to the bone.) Your heartless comments cut me to the quick. Her remarks cut him to the bone.

See also: cut, quick

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cut somebody to the quick  (old-fashioned)

to upset someone by criticizing them (usually passive) I was cut to the quick by her harsh remarks.

See also: cut, quick