From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishtouch/hit a (raw) nervetouch/hit a (raw) nerveto mention something that makes someone upset, angry, or embarrassed, especially accidentally Without realizing, he had touched a raw nerve. → nerve
Examples from the Corpus
touch/hit a (raw) nerve• They also touched a nerve of public anxiety.• Our article touched a raw nerve.• Q: Why has that era hit a nerve with people now?• The theatrical farce touches a nerve.• I had finally touched a nerve.• The subject of hawkers had touched a raw nerve.• The charge has hit a nerve, persuading the company to earmark 265 Levantine buildings for special restoration.• The wide current appeal of such music seems to touch a nerve of communal masochism.touch/hit a raw nervetouch/hit a raw nerveUPSETto upset someone by something you say Seeing his face, Joanne realized she’d touched a raw nerve. → rawExamples from the Corpus
touch/hit a raw nerve• Our article touched a raw nerve.• The subject of hawkers had touched a raw nerve. 