feel touchy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feel touchy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is sensitive or easily offended about a particular topic or situation. Example: "Whenever the subject of politics comes up, he tends to feel touchy and defensive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But after his fiancee joined him on Jimmy Kimmel's show, she lost her job, apparently because some people feel touchy about extolling the virtues of porn on national TV.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The regenerative brakes felt touchy at times, but they helped the tested Hybrid deliver 22 m.p.g. in city and suburban driving.

The New York Times

Soon, however, she's griping about their "touchy touchy feel feel," and when her older siblings ask her to help support her mother and a severely impoverished half-sister, the scene that ensues beats anything on "The Sopranos" for riveting family drama, and exposes a discomfiting political paradox.

The New York Times

Luxemburg knew she bewildered him with her contrary impulses for autonomy and commitment, telling him in July 1897 that she felt "as touchy and skittish as a hare".

The Guardian - Books

Whoever replaces acting director Andrew McCabe will have one of the most difficult jobs in the country: Not only will they be taking charge of the nation's premier law enforcement agency, they'll inherit the investigation into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia during the 2016 election an investigation everyone knows the president feels extremely touchy about.

Vice

"Things feel kind of touchy, but there's been way more wildlife around, too".

The New York Times

If you feel like getting touchy-feely (touching youuuuou, touching meeeee) then you also have the option of sauntering into an AT&T come February 19 and settling the decision then and there.

TechCrunch

It's something that I feel like…it's a touchy subject," Jordan admitted.

Huffington Post

To get a handle on how Park really feels about churning touchy subject matter into rollicking entertainment, I sat down and talked to him in a hotel suite in Los Angeles earlier this week.

Vice

After all, people can be "touchy," if they feel as if they are being scolded, he said, even if they are flagrant violators like those who "camp out on a bench press" talking.

The New York Times

Also, being aggressively touchy makes him feel awkward, uncomfortable, and maybe embarrassed!

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "feel touchy", consider the context and ensure it accurately reflects the degree of sensitivity or potential for offense. If a stronger term is needed, consider alternatives like "sensitive" or "easily offended".

Common error

Avoid using "feel touchy" in highly formal or professional documents. While acceptable in general writing, more formal alternatives like "be sensitive to" or "exercise caution regarding" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel touchy" functions as a verb phrase followed by an adjective, describing a state of being easily offended or sensitive about a particular subject. Ludwig AI provides examples of its usage in diverse contexts, affirming its role in expressing emotional sensitivity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

11%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "feel touchy" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe someone's heightened sensitivity or defensiveness towards certain topics. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used in news and media, but may be less appropriate in formal academic or business settings. When writing, consider the context and intended audience to ensure the phrase accurately conveys the desired level of sensitivity. Alternative phrases like "be sensitive", "be easily offended", and "be thin-skinned" can offer similar meanings with slight variations in tone and implication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be sensitive

Focuses on the general trait of being sensitive, removing the emotional aspect.

be easily offended

Highlights the tendency to take offense, emphasizing a negative reaction.

be thin-skinned

Uses a metaphor to describe someone who is easily hurt by criticism.

be oversensitive

Implies an excessive level of sensitivity.

take things personally

Focuses on the act of interpreting situations in a personal way, leading to emotional responses.

get defensive easily

Highlights a reactive defensiveness when feeling challenged or criticized.

be quick to take offense

Emphasizes the speed at which someone becomes offended.

have a short fuse

Uses a metaphor to describe someone who gets angry easily.

react strongly

Focuses on the intensity of the reaction, regardless of the cause.

be emotionally vulnerable

Highlights the state of being susceptible to emotional harm.

FAQs

How can I use "feel touchy" in a sentence?

You can use "feel touchy" to describe someone who is sensitive or easily offended about a particular topic. For example, "He tends to "feel touchy" when the subject of his past comes up."

What's a more formal way to say "feel touchy"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "be sensitive to", "exercise caution regarding", or "be mindful of" instead of ""feel touchy"".

When is it appropriate to use "feel touchy"?

"Feel touchy" is appropriate in informal conversations, news articles, or blogs. However, it may be too informal for academic papers or business reports.

What is the difference between "feel touchy" and "be sensitive"?

"Feel touchy" often implies a specific, perhaps temporary, state of being easily offended. "Be sensitive" refers to a general characteristic of being emotionally responsive or aware of others' feelings.