What an insensitive joke might do

HITANERVE

Think of how a sharp remark can affect someone emotionally—like striking a sensitive spot in the body. The answer is a common phrase turned into one word.

This clue plays on the phrase "hit a nerve," which means to upset someone by touching on a sensitive topic. An insensitive joke could easily do that, making the answer a literal take on the idiom. The word "nerve" is also used here as part of the answer, blending the figurative meaning with a straightforward definition. It’s a clever way to turn a common expression into a crossword solution.