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Touch a sore point Meaning in English

expression

ˈtətʃ/ /ˈeɪ/, /ə/ /ˈsɔɹ/ /ˈpɔɪnt
TUHCH uh SAWR POYNT
tˈʌtʃ/ /æɪ/ /sˈɔː/ /pˈɔɪnt
TUCH uh SAW POYNT

Definition

To mention a topic that makes someone feel upset, uncomfortable, or sensitive, often because it is a problem for them.

Usage & Nuances

Usually informal or neutral. Often used when someone unintentionally upsets another by mentioning a sensitive issue ('I didn't mean to touch a sore point'). Similar to 'hit a nerve' or 'touch a raw nerve'. Avoid using about minor annoyances; it's for real emotional sensitivity.

Spanish: tocar un punto sensible - tocar una fibra sensiblePortuguese (BR): tocar em um ponto sensível - mexer em uma feridaPortuguese (PT): tocar num ponto sensível - mexer numa feridaChinese (Simplified): 触及痛处 - 说到敏感话题Chinese (Traditional): 觸及痛處 - 說到敏感話題Hindi: किसी दुखती रग को छूनाArabic: يُثير نقطة حساسة - يلمس جرحاًBengali: আঘাত করা স্পর্শকাতর বিষয় - আঁচড়ানো পুরনো ক্ষতRussian: задеть больное место - наступить на больную мозольJapanese: 痛いところに触れるVietnamese: chạm vào điểm yếu - chạm vào nỗi đauKorean: 아픈 데를 건드리다 - 민감한 부분을 건드리다Turkish: can alıcı noktaya değinmek - hassas bir konuya dokunmakUrdu: تکلیف دہ نقطہ چھیڑنا - دکھتی رگ پر ہاتھ رکھناIndonesian: menyentuh titik sensitif - menyentuh luka lama

Example Sentences

I didn't mean to touch a sore point when I mentioned your old job.

basic

Talking about her family always seems to touch a sore point.

basic

Be careful not to touch a sore point during the meeting.

basic

Uh oh, did I just touch a sore point with that joke?

natural

Whenever you mention money, it seems to touch a sore point for him.

natural

Sorry if I touched a sore point—I didn’t realize that subject was hard for you.

natural