PhrasesHub

hit a nerve

    Definitions

      • to touch on a sensitive or emotional topic
        To mention or bring up a subject that causes someone to react strongly because it is personal or emotional to them

      • to cause a strong reaction
        To say or do something that provokes a strong emotional response from someone

    Examples of hit a nerve

    • In her speech, the senator hit a nerve when she mentioned the rising cost of healthcare.

      The phrase "hit a nerve" is used to describe something that has strongly affected or provoked someone's emotions. In this example, the senator's comment about healthcare costs struck a chord with many people, as it is a topic that concerns a lot of people and can be a source of anxiety and frustration. This phrase is commonly used in political speeches to acknowledge that a particular issue is resonating with the audience.

    • The writer's emotional article about the effects of bullying hit a nerve with readers, many of whom shared their own experiences of being bullied.

      In this example, the writer's powerful words about bullying struck a chord with readers, who identified with the topic and felt moved by the author's message. This phrase can also imply that the speaker has said something that has caused the listener to become defensive, in a less positive context.

    • The CEO's suggestion that the company should lay off staff hit a nerve with the board of directors, who saw it as a drastic and unnecessary measure.

      This example shows how the phrase "hit a nerve" can also describe an idea or proposal that has provoked strong opposition. In this case, the CEO's idea about layoffs has touched a raw nerve with the board, as they strongly disagree with the proposal and see it as a negative development for the company.

    • The comedian's jokes about politics hit a nerve with the audience, who laughed uproariously at his witty comments.

      In this final example, the phrase "hit a nerve" is used in a less intense context, to describe something that has amused or entertained the listener. The comedian's jokes about politics struck a chord with the audience, who found them amusing and relatable. This phrase can also be used in a more positive context to describe a topic that has resonated deeply with the speaker themselves, rather than with an external audience.

    • Her speech about animal rights hit a nerve with the audience, as many couldn't help but think of the animals they had mistreated in the past.

      This idiom means that the speaker's words struck a sensitive chord in the listeners, causing them to feel an emotional or psychological response. In this case, the audience was emotionally affected by the speaker's message about animal rights, as they may have previously mistreated animals and felt guilty or remorseful as a result.

    • The politician's comment about his opponent's character hit a nerve with the media, as they saw it as a low blow and believed it would damage his reputation.

      This example illustrates how the use of this idiom can be related to a political or social context. In this case, the politician's criticism of his opponent's character touched a nerve with the media, who saw it as a cheap shot and predicted negative consequences for the politician's own image.

    • The detective's theory about the suspect's motive hit a nerve with the jury, as it explained some of the details in the crime that had previously been unclear.

      Here, the use of the idiom shows how the suspect's motive was a sensitive issue for the jury, who were trying to find justice in the case. The detective's theory resonated with the jurors, as it shed light on some of the ambiguous elements of the crime and helped them to understand the suspect's actions.

    • The author's story about her childhood hit a nerve with the reader, as it reminded her of similar experiences in her own past.

      This example shows how the use of the idiom can be related to personal experiences and memories. In this case, the reader was emotionally affected by the author's story, as it triggered memories of her own childhood and resonated with her on a deeply personal level.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "hit a nerve" is commonly used to describe the act of mentioning something that is sensitive or emotional to someone, causing a strong reaction. It can also be used to refer to saying or doing something that provokes a strong emotional response from someone. In both cases, the intention is to highlight the impact of the action or words on the person's emotions.

    Origin of "hit a nerve"

    The origin of the idiom "hit a nerve" can be traced back to the medical field, where hitting a nerve would cause a strong physical reaction due to the sensitivity of nerves in the body. Over time, the expression evolved to be used figuratively to describe the impact of words or actions on someone's emotions. The idiom has become a common way to describe the act of touching on a sensitive topic or provoking a strong emotional response. It is now widely understood and used in everyday language to convey the idea of causing a strong reaction in someone. For example, "When I mentioned her ex-boyfriend, I really hit a nerve and she became upset."