cut to the quick

idiom

: to cause severe hurt or upset
Their criticism cut to the quick.

Examples of cut to the quick in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Both know each other’s triggers and Domont’s prickly screenplay has plenty of barbs that cut to the quick. Thomas Page, CNN, 27 Jan. 2023 When such stars finally leave us, the news can cut to the quick. Peter Tonguette, WSJ, 24 Apr. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cut to the quick.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Dictionary Entries Near cut to the quick

Cite this Entry

“Cut to the quick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cut%20to%20the%20quick. Accessed 24 Sep. 2023.

Last Updated: - Definition revised
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