hit/strike/touch a nerve
idiom
: to make someone feel angry, upset, embarrassed, etc.
Something she said to him must have hit/struck/touched a nerve. I've never seen him so angry.
His controversial column might have hit a (raw/sensitive) nerve with some readers.
Examples of hit/strike/touch a nerve in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The pool of marketers that feel comfortable with news can be limited, particularly as marketers seek to stay away from programming that can strike a nerve with a polarized American audience.
—
Brian Steinberg, Variety, 9 Apr. 2025
When 16 & Pregnant first began to air in 2009, the show hit a nerve.
—Angela Andaloro, People.com, 1 May 2025
This situation really hit a nerve for a lot of people.
—Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2025
The song played a pivotal part in Gaga: Five Foot Two, her 2017 Netflix documentary, where its mixed reception seemed to strike a nerve with her.
—Kristen S. Hé, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hit/strike/touch a nerve
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Brian Steinberg, Variety, 9 Apr. 2025
When 16 & Pregnant first began to air in 2009, the show hit a nerve.
—Angela Andaloro, People.com, 1 May 2025
This situation really hit a nerve for a lot of people.
—Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2025
The song played a pivotal part in Gaga: Five Foot Two, her 2017 Netflix documentary, where its mixed reception seemed to strike a nerve with her.
—Kristen S. Hé, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hit/strike/touch a nerve
Cite this Entry
“Hit/strike/touch a nerve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hit%2Fstrike%2Ftouch%20a%20nerve. Accessed 30 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share