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cut to the quick

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /ˌkʌt tə ðə ˈkwɪk/

cut to the quick means: To hurt someone very deeply through your words or actions.

verb

HURT DEEPLYC2

To hurt someone very deeply through your words or actions.

  • Her words cut me to the quick.
  • His rejection had cut her to the quick.
  • She felt cut to the quick by that accusation.

How to use it: cut someone to the quick (Her cold reply cut him to the quick.); be cut to the quick (He was cut to the quick by their laughter.)

Similar words: wound, hurt deeply

Common phrases: cut to the quick, cut someone to the quick

EXPOSE PAINFUL COREC2

To discuss the painful or difficult issue at the heart of a subject directly.

  • His question cut to the quick.
  • The essay cuts to the quick of the debate.
  • By mentioning trust, she cut to the quick of their problem.

How to use it: cut to the quick of something (Her question cut to the quick of our disagreement.)

Similar words: get to the heart of, go to the root of

Common phrases: cut to the quick, cut to the quick of something

CUT LIVING TISSUEC2

To cut into the sensitive living flesh under a nail or other hard outer layer.

  • I cut my nail to the quick.
  • The dog yelped when its claw was cut to the quick.
  • Take care not to cut those claws to the quick.

How to use it: cut something to the quick (He accidentally cut the nail to the quick.)

Common phrases: cut to the quick, claws cut to the quick

Questions about cut to the quick

What does cut to the quick mean?

To hurt someone very deeply through your words or actions.

What is cut to the quick in other languages?

Türkçe: derinden incitmek · Español: herir profundamente · Français: blesser profondément · Deutsch: zutiefst verletzen · Italiano: ferire profondamente · 日本語: 深く傷つける

How do you pronounce cut to the quick?

It is pronounced /ˌkʌt tə ðə ˈkwɪk/.

How do you use cut to the quick in a sentence?

Her words cut me to the quick. His rejection had cut her to the quick.

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cut to the quick in other languages

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