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Meaning of to the quick | Babel Free

Noun CEFR C1

Definitions

To the level of living tissue.
Very deeply; at one's most sensitive level of feeling.

Examples

“Blood dripped from every finger-end, while the nails were broken to the quick.”

“Titus, I have touched thee to the quick.”

“This false evidence . . . stung me to the quick, and raised an indignation scarce conceivable.”

“The powerlessness of the strong man touched my heart to the quick.”

CEFR level

C1

Advanced
This word is part of the CEFR C1 vocabulary — advanced level.

See also

to the rafters to the rescue to the tonsils to the top of one's bent to the touch to the turn of a hair