“hit a nerve”
To hit a nerve means to say or do something that provokes a strong emotional reaction in someone, often because it touches on a sensitive, painful, or deeply personal topic. It implies that the remark or action struck exactly where someone is most vulnerable. Listen to how native speakers pronounce "hit a nerve" in the video clips below.
Hear how "hit a nerve" sounds in real speech — 1,000 examples from 10 videos, movies, and TV shows. Sources: Deadpool & Wolverine, Lucifer, House M D, Mad Men, 60 Minutes and 4 more.
1,000
clips found
10
videos
Examples in video
YouTube60 Minutes245K views · 2025-12-14
Stories About Farms, Ranches and Rural America | 60 Minutes Marathon
“that word save hit a nerve and that was”
>> Yeah. I know we are um well aware that … not at all our intention. Many of our
Play at 3:36:36
YouTubePowerfulJRE1.0M views · 2025-03-04
Joe Rogan Experience #2283 - Billy Corgan
“because I hit a nerve and uh he made me”
your arm but I had to back it out … reinsert it and so I reinserted it and
Play at 1:03:30
YouTubeLate Night with Seth Meyers175K views · 2025-11-27
Renate Reinsve Thinks Sentimental Value Was Therapeutic for Her and Her Family
“-Did I maybe hit a nerve?
-No, no. [ Laughs ]”
Do you know
my skills in cooking? … -Are you a good cook?
-I'm okay.
Play at 2:09
MovieDeadpool & Wolverine
Deadpool & Wolverine
“Did I hit a nerve?”
Honey, you don't really strike me as the world-saving type. … I didn't want it to come to this.
Play at 48:08
Can't play this one yet, but your timecode is ready — 48:08
TV ShowLucifer
Lucifer — S01E04
“Did I hit a nerve?”
Uh-oh. … Mazikeen, we both know
Play at 19:33
Can't play this one yet, but your timecode is ready — 19:33
YouTubeDoctor Mike5.2M views · 2025-01-15
Doctor Reacts To Squid Game 2 Injuries
“You must have really hit a nerve.”
- What's up? … - [Mike] Well, it depends which
nerve you're talking about.
Play at 11:27
YouTubeThe Take158K views · 2023-07-06
The Idol: Why HBO's Scandalous Show was Shockingly... Boring
“Stone expose definitely hit a nerve for”
the blowback to the series The Rolling … testifying who posted a pointed unaired
Play at 3:21
YouTubePowerfulJRE1.6M views · 2026-01-20
Joe Rogan Experience #2441 - Paul Rosolie
“did it once and I hit a nerve and you”
>> Nope. That was real. I mean, because I … need to restart it, right? Yeah. Maybe
Play at 1:44:16
TV ShowHouse M D
House M D — S01E02
“– I'll take your money.
– Hit a nerve?”
– Can we get on with the differential diagnosis?
– Fifty bucks says I'm right. … – Don't worry. I'm sure the guy who tucked you in was your daddy.
– Make it a hundred.
Play at 8:34
Can't play this one yet, but your timecode is ready — 8:34
TV ShowMad Men
Mad Men — S04E02
“I'm sorry if I hit a nerve there, precious.”
No, I'm not writing that down. … You know, Freddy, I have brought
your name up 100 times in the last year
Play at 23:17
Can't play this one yet, but your timecode is ready — 23:17