take aback

verb

1. (tr, adverb) to astonish or disconcert

Idioms and Phrases

Surprise, shock, as in He was taken aback by her caustic remark. This idiom comes from nautical terminology of the mid-1700s, when be taken aback referred to the stalling of a ship caused by a wind shift that made the sails lay back against the masts. Its figurative use was first recorded in 1829.

Example Sentences

“Aaaaaaaaaaah!” the figure screamed in return, for he was just as taken aback as they were.

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At first Penelope was taken aback; all she could think of was that man outside Buckingham Palace, selling tickets to the pauper’s food line.

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“This is just my first day,” I replied, taken aback.

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Charlie was so taken aback, he called to ask them what it meant.

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He kind looked a little taken aback and said “Oh, well, do you like it?”

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Related Words

• agitate 
• alarm 
• bewilder 
• bother 
• confound 
• daunt 
• disconcert 
• discourage 
• dishearten 
• disillusion 
• dispirit 
• disquiet 
• disturb 
• dumbfound 
• embarrass 
• faze 
• flummox 
• fluster 
• frighten 
• horrify