When Mary told me the news, I was taken aback for a moment.
•When I told my parents I was married, they were completely taken aback.
Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.
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 — 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 … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
taken aback — adjective a) surprised, shocked b) said of a ship, when the wind, suddenly changing, forces the sails aft against the mast … Wiktionary
taken aback — disconcerted (See discontent) … English dictionary for students
taken aback — disconcerted, surprised, dismayed … English contemporary dictionary
