Cut to the quick
Meaning
To deeply wound someone's feelings, often by exposing a vulnerability or sensitive point.
Origin
Imagine the excruciating pain of trimming your fingernails too short, accidentally slicing into the tender, living flesh beneath. This sensitive, vital part was historically known as the “quick”—a word derived from Old English “cwic,” meaning “alive” or “living.” To “cut to the quick” literally described this physical agony, a sharp, immediate sting that went deeper than just the surface. Over centuries, this vivid bodily experience transformed into a powerful metaphor for emotional distress, capturing the essence of being profoundly hurt by words or actions that strike at one's most vulnerable or sensitive core.
Examples
- Her casual remark about his failed business venture really cut him to the quick, as he had poured his life savings into it.
- The harsh criticism from his mentor, though perhaps intended constructively, still managed to cut him to the quick.