Definition

1. Idiomatic Verb Phrase:
   • To touch (someone) to the raw, to cut (someone) to the quick: To say or do something that deeply hurts someone's feelings, pride, or touches upon a sensitive, vulnerable, or sore point. It implies provoking a strong emotional reaction by hitting a psychological weak spot.

Usage Examples

• Idiomatic Verb Phrase:
  • Câu nói của cô ấy đã chạm nọc anh ta. (Her remark cut him to the quick.)
  • Đừng chạm nọc vào chuyện thất bại cũ của anh ấy. (Don't touch him to the raw about his past failure.)
  • Bị chạm nọc, anh ta bèn đánh trống lảng. (Touched to the quick, he just changed the subject.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is often used in the passive voice: "bị chạm nọc" (to be touched/cut to the quick).
• It describes a cause-and-effect situation where the action of "chạm nọc" leads to a visible reaction, such as anger, silence, or changing the topic.

Variants and Related Words

• Chạm (verb): To touch, to make contact with. In figurative use, it can mean to touch upon (a topic).
• Nọc (noun): Venom, poison (from a snake, insect, etc.). Figuratively, it represents a deeply sensitive or painful point within a person.

Synonyms

• Chạm tự ái: To hurt someone's pride.
• Đá động / Chạm đến: To touch upon (a sensitive issue).
• Làm tổn thương: To hurt, to injure (feelings).

Related Idioms

• Đánh trống lảng: To beat around the bush, to deliberately change the subject to avoid an uncomfortable topic. This idiom is frequently used to describe the reaction of someone who has been "chạm nọc".
  • Bị chạm nọc, anh ta đánh trống lảng sang chuyện khác. (Touched to the quick, he changed the subject to something else.)

1. To touch (someone) to the raw, to cut (someone) to the quick
   • bị chạm nọc, anh ta bèn đánh trống lảng
     touched to the quick, he just changed topics as a diversion