English

Adverb

to the quick

1. To the level of living tissue.
   • 1904, Jack London, The Sea-Wolf, chapter 39:

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

2. Very deeply; at one's most sensitive level of feeling.
   • 1594, William Shakespeare, Titus Andronicus, act 4, scene 4:

     Titus, I have touched thee to the quick.

   • 1749, Henry Fielding, Tom Jones, a Foundling, chapter 14:

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

   • 1837, Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre, chapter 37:

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

Related terms

• cut to the quick