急所(きゅうしょ)vitals, tender spot, key (of a problem), crux, essential point, secret, male crotch (as a target in fighting)

急所(きゅうしょ)を突(つ)いた質問(しつもん)にドキッとする。

I'm taken aback by the question that hit a tender spot. {vitals, tender spot, key (of a problem), crux, essential point, secret, male crotch (as a target in fighting)}

弾丸(だんがん)が急所(きゅうしょ)を外(はず)れたのはラッキーでした。

It was fortunate that the bullet missed the vitals. {vitals, tender spot, key (of a problem), crux, essential point, secret, male crotch (as a target in fighting)}

刑事(けいじ)：「被害(ひがい)者(しゃ)は、急所(きゅうしょ)を刺(さ)されて死亡(しぼう)したようだ。」

Detective: "It seems the victim died from being stabbed in the vitals." {vitals, tender spot, key (of a problem), crux, essential point, secret, male crotch (as a target in fighting)}

新人(しんじん)相手(あいて)に急所(きゅうしょ)を打(う)つ質問(しつもん)をするなんて、スパルタにも程(ほど)がある。

Asking a newcomer such pointed questions, it's even beyond Spartan. {vitals, tender spot, key (of a problem), crux, essential point, secret, male crotch (as a target in fighting)}

問題(もんだい)の急所(きゅうしょ)を鋭(するど)く突(つ)かれた責任(せきにん)者(しゃ)は、記者(きしゃ)への返答(へんとう)にあたふたしている。

The person in charge, sharply hit at the crux of the problem, is flustered in responding to the journalist. {vitals, tender spot, key (of a problem), crux, essential point, secret, male crotch (as a target in fighting)}