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  What it means

  “To the quick / to the core.” To hurt or affect someone deeply — to cut to the quick emotionally. “Trafić do żywego” means to hit a raw nerve.

  Vocabulary

  • żywy — alive, living; raw (of a wound)
  • do żywego — to the quick, to the raw

  Grammar note

  'Do żywego' uses the genitive of 'żywe' (neuter of 'żywy') after 'do'. 'Żywe' here refers to living flesh — the raw, sensitive part.

  Cultural context

  'Urazić kogoś do żywego' (to hurt someone to the quick), 'dotknąć do żywego' (to touch a raw nerve). A vivid expression of deep emotional impact.

  Intermediate

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