take aback
B2 neutral separable transitive
In simple words
Surprise someone so much that they don't know what to say or do for a moment
Literal meaning: (Nautical) A sail pushed backward by an unexpected wind — the ship is momentarily stopped and unable to maneuver.
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
neutral
To surprise or shock someone, especially so that they are temporarily unable to respond
"She was completely taken aback by his sudden resignation — no one had seen it coming."
"I was taken aback by the ferocity of the criticism."
— Tony Blair, A Journey: My Political Life, 2010
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Almost always used in the passive: 'I was taken aback.' The active form ('it took me aback') is less common but correct. The surprise is usually unpleasant or at least unexpected. Derived from nautical language: a sail 'taken aback' was caught by the wind from the wrong direction.
Commonly used with
surprise reaction comment news response behavior
Forms
Base
take aback
I/you/we/they
3rd person
takes aback
he/she/it
Past simple
took aback
yesterday
Past participle
taken aback
have + pp
-ing form
taking aback
continuous
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