it struck so close

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it struck so close" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something had a significant emotional impact or was very relevant to a personal experience. Example: "When I heard the news about the accident, it struck so close to home that I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Not everyone got the joke, in part because it struck so close to home.

The New York Times

And then when I read [the script], it struck so close to home and was true.

Huffington Post

Speaking specifically of the scandals, they wrote that "personal scandal has not touched Grant in any plausible form, but it struck so close to him and so frequently as to necessitate the vindication of his honor by admitting his bad taste in the choice of associates".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

One struck so close to his sister Yana, who was in the street, that it sent chips of asphalt into her leg, he said.

The New York Times

This is the first time in memory that a major storm struck so close to Election Day, and some ballots may be lost amid the wreckage.

The New Yorker

There was "a compelling case to take action" to prevent deals such as the East West Link development being struck so close to an election, Andrews said.

The Guardian

Still, the ability of rebels to strike so close to Mr. Assad's center of power, despite his repeated efforts to rout them, appeared to reflect the tenacity of the insurgency, which began in March 2011 as a peaceful pro-democracy uprising.

The New York Times

Moreover the quake did not strike so close to the country's capital city.Thus, even though Saturday's quake was hundreds of times more powerful than Haiti's, the human losses are expected to be a great deal less severe.

The Economist

And while his book doesn't match the haywire energy of "Looking for Lovedu," it manages to be more deeply satisfying, perhaps because for Taylor the issues the trip raises -- Africa's general welfare, the clash of African and European cultures, racial polarization -- strike so close to home.

The New York Times - Books

James Johnson said he sleeps by himself, but he's close to the Broadway police headquarters and doesn't believe an attacker would strike so close to law enforcement.

Los Angeles Times

And so two families, and two circles of friends, and a community of students and faculty are left to their grief, and their confusion, and maybe a touch more fear than usual at the recognition that violence can and will strike so close to home.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it struck so close" to convey that something had a significant emotional impact or personal relevance. Ensure the context clarifies what 'it' refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "it struck so close" when you simply mean something was nearby physically. This phrase primarily conveys emotional or personal significance, not just physical proximity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it struck so close" functions as an idiomatic expression used to describe something that has a strong emotional or personal impact. Ludwig shows its capacity to convey proximity on an emotional or personal level. It highlights how an event or piece of information resonates with someone's own experiences.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it struck so close" is a useful idiom for expressing a sense of emotional or personal resonance. Ludwig's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for conveying a significant impact, particularly in contexts where something feels personally relevant. While "it struck so close" isn't the most common phrase, it effectively communicates a feeling of nearness, whether emotional or physical. When writing or speaking, consider alternatives such as "it hit home" or "it resonated deeply" for similar effect. Ensure that "it" is clearly defined within your sentence and remember this idiom is more impactful when emphasizing an emotional connection instead of physical proximity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it hit home

Emphasizes the personal impact and relevance of the event or information.

it resonated deeply

Focuses on the emotional impact and personal relevance.

it was uncomfortably close

Emphasizes the feeling of being threatened or affected by the proximity.

it felt personal

Emphasizes the individual and intimate connection.

it felt too real

Highlights the sense of authenticity and relatability.

it touched a nerve

Emphasizes the sensitive and emotional reaction.

it was eerily familiar

Focuses on the unsettling feeling of recognizing something from personal experience.

it was disturbingly relevant

Highlights the unsettling and concerning nature of the relevance.

it was personally significant

Highlights the individual importance and meaning.

it left a mark

Focuses on the lasting impact and emotional scar.

FAQs

How can I use "it struck so close" in a sentence?

Use "it struck so close" to indicate that something had a significant emotional impact or was very relevant to a personal experience. For example, "When I heard the news about the accident, "it struck so close" to home that I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed."

What does "it struck so close" mean?

"It struck so close" means something had a significant emotional or personal impact due to its relevance or proximity to one's own experiences. It suggests a strong resonance or connection to the situation.

What can I say instead of "it struck so close"?

You can use alternatives like "it hit home", "it resonated deeply", or "it felt too real" depending on the context.

Is "it struck so close" formal or informal?

"It struck so close" is generally considered neutral in register, suitable for both formal and informal contexts where you want to convey a significant emotional or personal impact.