Language: en
Meaning: (idiomatic)To make aremarkor perform adeedwhich produces a strong response, especially anemotionalresponse such asanxietyorannoyance, because it calls to mind something which has been a source ofconcernorembarrassment.1951August 27, “National Affairs: Right & Wrong”, inTime:Louis B. Seltzer, editor of the Cleveland Press, . . . banged out an editorial that raised uncomfortable questions about the state of the U.S. at a moment of world responsibility. His piecetouched a nerve: in the following week, 1,000 people had tried to reach him by phone or written him letters or stopped him on the street to talk about it.1960,P. G. Wodehouse, chapter 4, inJeeves in the Offing:The austerity of my tone seemed totouch a nerveand kindle the fire that always slept in this vermilion-headed menace to the common weal, for she frowned a displeased frown and told me for heaven's sake to stop goggling like a dead halibut.2007November 8, Simon Romero, “Gunmen attack opponents of Chávez's bid to extend power”, inNew York Times, retrieved 30 Aug. 2009:The president's supporters . . . are trying to exert greater control over universities,touching a nerveamong an increasingly defiant student movement.
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