hit a nerve

Meaning

1. hit / touch a (raw / sensitive) nerve

   to mention a subject that makes sb feel angry, upset, embarrassed, etc.

   You touched a raw nerve when you mentioned his first wife.

In the movies · 2

• I'm sorry, she just hit a nerve.The Butterfly Effect2004
• Okay. I must have hit a nerve with you.Husbands and Wives1992

Learn it in full scenes

• Husbands and Wives1992
  • Jack and Sally Announce a Split
  • Gabe and Judy's Late-Night Talk
  • Sally Calls Jack During a Date

From the same entry

• be a bag of nerves
• get on nerves
• have nerves of steel
• brass neck
• strain every nerve
• a war of nerves