痛いたいところを突つく

expression, godan verb (-ku)

hit a nerve; touch a sore spot; go for the throat

Idiomatic expression meaning to bring up a sensitive topic or point out someone's weakness, often in a critical or probing way.

See also: 痛いところ

• 彼かれは会かい議ぎで痛いたいところを突つかれて、黙だまってしまった。

  He was hit where it hurts during the meeting and fell silent.

• その質しつ問もんはまさに痛いたいところを突ついていた。

  That question really touched a sore spot.