ENGLISH
REFERENCE

touch a nerve

idiom

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.


Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    common touch

    The personal quality of showing understanding of and sympathy for the concerns of ordinary people; rapport with and acceptance by ordinary people, usually in a celebrity or leader.

  2. 02

    golden touch

    Synonym of Midas touch (“the ability to achieve financial reward (or, more generally, success) easily and consistently”).

  3. 03

    hold one's nerve

    To stay calm facing nervousness.

  4. 04

    human touch

    The ability of a person to deal with others in a personable and empathetic way.

  5. 05

    kick into touch

    To evade an issue; to stop from happening.

  6. 06

    lose one's touch

    To lose one's special mastery of or knack for a particular skill or activity.

  7. 07

    lose touch

    To lose contact (with).

  8. 08

    magic touch

    An ability or skill to produce highly favorable results in an impressive way.

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