hit a nerve

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hit/touch a (raw) nerve

to upset someone by talking about a particular subject I think I hit a nerve with my comments about divorce. She suddenly looked distressed and I knew I'd touched a raw nerve.

See strain every nerve

See also: hit, nerve

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? References in periodicals archive
But when a Texas-based pizza chain started accepting pesos as well as dollars, it hit a nerve in the nationwide debate about immigration. Letter from the editor by Rebhurn, Elliott / New York Times Upfront With more than 2,000 Canadians stationed in Afghanistan, and with attacks on foreign civilians and military personnel increasing daily, Sheehan's message hit a nerve. A Mother's mission by Merani, Shelina / Washington Report on Middle East Affairs One can only hope that a few of our representatives in Washington who have blinders on will take them off long enough to view Good Night, and Good Luck and that it will hit a nerve. By George by Ohlman, Scott / The Advocate (The national gay & lesbian newsmagazine) More results

? References in periodicals archive

But when a Texas-based pizza chain started accepting pesos as well as dollars, it hit a nerve in the nationwide debate about immigration.

Letter from the editor by Rebhurn, Elliott / New York Times Upfront

With more than 2,000 Canadians stationed in Afghanistan, and with attacks on foreign civilians and military personnel increasing daily, Sheehan's message hit a nerve.

A Mother's mission by Merani, Shelina / Washington Report on Middle East Affairs

One can only hope that a few of our representatives in Washington who have blinders on will take them off long enough to view Good Night, and Good Luck and that it will hit a nerve.

By George by Ohlman, Scott / The Advocate (The national gay & lesbian newsmagazine)

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