Possible Clues:

• Acid, as criticism
• Trivium "___ Are the Ties That Bind"
• Stinging bill rises and is cut unexpectedly
• Burning to provoke mostly instinctive reaction
• A cut is nasty, cut initially stinging
• Severe military bigwig detaining an American close to unit
• Having many barbs
• Like Don Rickles
• Severely critical
• Cutting; corrosive