A: Did you attend the lecture yesterday?

    B: Yes, I did. The poet recited some of his works and gave a passionate speech. His words struck a chord with the audience, many of whom were moved to tears.

    A: Sounds interesting. It’s a pity I didn’t go to that lecture.

    Note: The idiom means to “arouse an emotional response” or “be relevant or familiar to.” A chord in music is any harmonic set of three or more notes that is heard as if sounding simultaneously. The sound means the notes have successfully been combined to create a consonant sound. It’s a metaphor for a connection that is made. People also say something “touches a chord” or “hits home.” The metaphorical use went back to the early 1800s.