What it means
Someone who gets prickly or oversensitive, especially about one specific thing. A touchy mate can take a harmless joke as a personal attack, so everyone ends up tiptoeing round the subject to avoid a sulk or a proper row. Often said as a warning, like a bit touchy about the job hunt, the ex, or last week’s scoreline after a knock to the ego.
Usage examples
"Don’t mention the footy round Dave, he’s still touchy about that four-nil battering. I had a laugh and he went huffy, then legged it to the chippy."
"Steer clear of the diet chat round Mum, she's a bit touchy about it since the doctor's."
"He got proper touchy when I teased him about the parking, went quiet for the whole drive home."
Other ways to say it
Editors of this term
Your vote counts
Is this real street talk or have we lost the plot? Cast your vote.