To be thin-skinned

Origin

The idea of skin thickness as a metaphor for emotional resilience is remarkably intuitive, stretching back centuries. Biologically, thin skin is more delicate, more prone to irritation and injury, while thick skin offers a robust defense. It was only natural that this literal truth would migrate into the realm of human temperament. By the mid-19th century, "thin-skinned" had solidified its place in the English lexicon, particularly in political discourse and literature. Commentators would vividly describe public figures as "thin-skinned" when they bristled at criticism, effectively portraying their emotional core as exposed and vulnerable, easily bruised by the slightest jab of disapproval—just like delicate skin. The phrase painted an instant, relatable image of someone whose inner self lacked a protective barrier against the slings and arrows of fortune.