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to the quick. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
to the quick, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
to the quick in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
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English
Prepositional phrase
to the quick
- To the level of living tissue.
- Very deeply; at one's most sensitive level of feeling.
c. 1588–1593 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Lamentable Tragedy of Titus Andronicus”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies (First Folio), London: Isaac Iaggard, and Ed Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, :Titus, I have touched thee to the quick.
1749, Henry Fielding, chapter 14, in Tom Jones, a Foundling:This false evidence . . . stung me to the quick, and raised an indignation scarce conceivable.
1837, Charlotte Brontë, chapter 37, in Jane Eyre:The powerlessness of the strong man touched my heart to the quick.