Meaning of cut to the quick | Babel Free

Definitions

1. To hurt a person deeply, especially emotionally.
   figuratively, transitive
2. To incisively discuss the underlying sensitive or unpleasant root of a given topic.
   figuratively
3. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see cut, quick.

Equivalents

Examples

“I was cut⟳ to the quick at the idea of having lost the inestimable privilege of listening to the gifted Kurtz.”

“But you must remember⟳ that we were boys together, and a fellow naturally confides in a chap he was boys together with. Anyway, be that as it may, he poured out his soul to me, and he hadn't been pouring long before I was able to see⟳ that he was cut⟳ to the quick. His blood pressure was high, his eye rolled in what they call⟳ a fine frenzy, and he was death-where-is-thy-sting-ing like⟳ nobody's business.”

“Alfar's analysis cuts to the quick of the socioeconomic structures that underlie marriage, primogeniture, monarchy, and imperialism.”

CEFR level