to claw, rub, hit on the gall: figurative to touch (a person) on a sore or tender point. Also absol. Obsolete.

intransitive. Of words, an action, etc.: to cause mental pain or anguish; to be hurtful.

intransitive. Of an experience, event, etc.: to persist in causing painful, bitter, or venomous feelings. In earlier use usually with in (a…

to play hell (with): to upset, confuse; to cause trouble (for); to make a fuss.

absol. and intransitive; esp. with prepositions to gnaw at (†to gnaw on), to gnaw into (cf. 1c); also in indirect passive.