struck a nerve

USAGE SUMMARY

"struck a nerve" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that has had a strong emotional reaction from someone. For example: "His comment about her weight struck a nerve and she started to cry".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The article struck a nerve.

The New York Times

He has struck a nerve.

The Economist

It struck a nerve.

The New York Times

This really struck a nerve.

Princeton University

The title struck a nerve, though.

The New Yorker

But he has clearly struck a nerve.

The New York Times

Her question struck a nerve.

The New York Times

It struck a nerve, though.

The New Yorker

The concept clearly struck a nerve.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

But Mr. Gao's triumph struck a nerve in Beijing.

The New York Times

Campbell's piece has, understandably, struck a nerve with Moris.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "struck a nerve" when you want to indicate that something has elicited a strong emotional response, often because it touches upon a sensitive or personal issue. Ensure the context makes it clear why the nerve was struck.

Common error

Avoid using "struck a nerve" when a situation only warrants a mild reaction. The phrase implies a significant emotional impact, so reserve it for situations where the response is notably strong.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "struck a nerve" functions as an idiomatic expression, typically used as a verb phrase within a sentence. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing its usage to describe something causing a strong emotional reaction. It describes how something, like a comment or action, impacts someone's feelings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

9%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "struck a nerve" is a common and versatile idiom used to describe when something evokes a strong emotional response, often due to its sensitivity or relevance to personal beliefs. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in various writing contexts. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Academia sources, indicating its wide acceptance. While interchangeable alternatives exist, understanding the appropriate intensity and avoiding overstatement are key to using this phrase effectively. When looking for synonyms or related phrases, "touched a raw spot" or "hit a sensitive point" may be useful variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

touched a nerve

A very similar expression with slight variation on words, practically interchangeable with the original query.

hit a sensitive point

Directly indicates that the comment or action addressed a delicate or contentious issue.

touched a raw spot

Emphasizes the sensitivity of the topic or comment, implying a pre-existing vulnerability.

tapped into something sensitive

Suggests uncovering a previously hidden or unacknowledged sensitivity.

brought a sore point to light

Implies the issue was already painful and has now been made more prominent or public.

resonated deeply

Focuses on the strong emotional connection or agreement elicited by the message or action.

caused a strong reaction

A more neutral way of expressing that something triggered a notable response.

provoked a reaction

Highlights the action's ability to stimulate a significant response, often emotional or defensive.

stirred up emotions

Emphasizes the act of agitating or awakening strong feelings within someone.

pushed someone's buttons

An informal way of saying that someone has intentionally or unintentionally irritated another person.

FAQs

What does "struck a nerve" mean?

The phrase "struck a nerve" means that something has caused a strong emotional reaction in someone, often because it relates to a sensitive issue or personal belief.

How can I use "struck a nerve" in a sentence?

You can use "struck a nerve" to describe a comment, action, or event that elicited a strong emotional response. For example: "His remarks about her career "struck a nerve", and she became visibly upset."

What are some alternatives to "struck a nerve"?

Alternatives to "struck a nerve" include "touched a raw spot", "hit a sensitive point", or "resonated deeply", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "struck a nerve" formal or informal?

"Struck a nerve" is generally considered neutral in register and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it's more common in news and general conversation than in highly academic or technical writing.