Cut to the Quick

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Cut to the Quick

To hurt someone in a grave manner; to act cold or unkind

Etymology:

This expression is an old one. It was used by people to describe extreme pain. The pain felt under the nails of hands and feet is one of the sharpest. If the nails come out the skin is exposed and any harm can lead towards great pain. The feeling of this kind of pain was extreme. Now, this pain is explained in this expression. It refers to emotional pain instead of physical pain now and it is used in different contexts.

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The lab experiment team was cut to the quick, when the invigilator told them that their method, application and results were totally wrong.

Collection Edit

Submitted on February 25, 2019

Additional definitions for 'Cut to the Quick':

cut to the quick	Used other than as an idiom: see cut, quick.
cut to the quick	To hurt a person deeply, especially emotionally.
cut to the quick	To get to the most essential idea or point.

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Translation

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Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to Cut to the Quick

cut the crap have one's work cut out for one cut up cut up cut the crap cut the cheese Cut to the Chase cut the mustard cut up cut the umbilical cord cut the line fish or cut bait cut through final cut

How to pronounce this phrase?

Alex
US English
David
US English
Mark
US English
Daniel
British
Libby
British
Mia
British
Karen
Australian
Hayley
Australian
Natasha
Australian
Veena
Indian
Priya
Indian
Neerja
Indian
Zira
US English
Oliver
British
Wendy
British
Fred
US English
Tessa
South African

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"Cut to the Quick." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 24 Nov. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/cut-to-the-quick_44597>.

Cut to the Quick

Etymology:

Additional definitions for 'Cut to the Quick':

Translation

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Nearby phrases

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