set aback
C1 formal separable transitive
In simple words
To shock or surprise someone so much that they are momentarily confused or don't know what to do.
Literal meaning: To push something backward — evoking the physical sensation of stepping back in surprise.
Meanings
1 C1
idiomatic
formal
To surprise or disconcert someone (now archaic; the standard form is 'taken aback').
"He was set aback by the ferocity of her response to his simple question."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Extremely rare as an active phrasal verb. The standard modern form is the passive/adjectival 'taken aback'. Learners are advised to use 'taken aback' instead.
Commonly used with
news response announcement reaction statement
Forms
Base
set aback
I/you/we/they
3rd person
sets aback
he/she/it
Past simple
set aback
yesterday
Past participle
set aback
have + pp
-ing form
setting aback
continuous
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Synonyms
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