To be taken aback

To be taken aback
Aback A*back" ([.a]*b[a^]k"), adv. [Pref. a- + back; AS. on b[ae]c at, on, or toward the back. See {Back}.] 1. Toward the back or rear; backward. ``Therewith aback she started.'' --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

2. Behind; in the rear. --Knolles. [1913 Webster]

3. (Naut.) Backward against the mast; -- said of the sails when pressed by the wind. --Totten. [1913 Webster]

{To be taken aback}. (a) To be driven backward against the mast; -- said of the sails, also of the ship when the sails are thus driven. (b) To be suddenly checked, baffled, or discomfited. --Dickens. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • taken aback — also[taken back] {adj.} Unpleasantly surprised; suddenly puzzled or shocked. * /When he came to pay for his dinner he was taken aback to find that he had left his wallet at home./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • taken aback — also[taken back] {adj.} Unpleasantly surprised; suddenly puzzled or shocked. * /When he came to pay for his dinner he was taken aback to find that he had left his wallet at home./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • taken aback — Taken by surprise • • • Main Entry: ↑aback …   Useful english dictionary

  • taken aback — confused or surprised by something unexpected. Company executives have been taken aback by the criticism. I asked him directly if he was looking for someone with my skills, and I think he was kind of taken aback. Etymology: based on the literal… …   New idioms dictionary

  • taken aback — Meaning Surprised. Origin When the wind changes direction the sails of a sailing ship sometimes blow back against the mast, i.e. they are taken aback …   Meaning and origin of phrases

  • taken\ aback — adj Unpleasantly surprised; suddenly puzzled or shocked. When he came to pay for his dinner he was taken aback to find that he had left his wallet at home. See: take back •• to (be) cause(d) a feeling of surprise or astonishment, often also with… …   Словарь американских идиом

  • taken aback — unpleasantly surprised, suddenly puzzled or shocked I was taken aback when she said that she didn t want to work with us any longer …   Idioms and examples

  • To be taken aback — Take Take, v. t. [imp. {Took} (t[oo^]k); p. p. {Taken} (t[=a]k n); p. pr. & vb. n. {Taking}.] [Icel. taka; akin to Sw. taga, Dan. tage, Goth. t[=e]kan to touch; of uncertain origin.] 1. In an active sense; To lay hold of; to seize with the hands …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • be taken aback — phrase to be shocked or surprised, especially by something that someone says or does to you Bill was taken aback by the girl’s directness. Thesaurus: to be shocked or surprisedsynonym Main entry: aback …   Useful english dictionary

  • (be) taken aback (by somebody) — be taken aˈback (by sb/sth) idiom to be shocked or surprised by sb/sth • She was completely taken aback by his anger. Main entry: ↑abackidiom …   Useful english dictionary

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