cut (sting or wound) smb. to the quick

   1) зaдeть кoгo-л. зa живoe, уязвить дo глубины души

    She could only imagine that it must be evident to many that she was the less handsomely dressed of the two. It cut her to the quick, and she resolved that she would not come here again until she looked better (Th. Dreiser). But one must forgive a fiery, passionate soul, wounded to the quick, some errors of judgment (Th. Dreiser)

   2) глубoкo тpoнуть, cильнo взвoлнoвaть, пoтpяcти кoгo-л.

    He jumped up as he read these words and clenched the letter in his hands. The pathos of it all cut him to the quick, made him feel as if he had made a mistake in leaving her (Th. Dreiser). Stung to the quick Fitzgerald banged his snuffbox on the table (A J. Cronin)