Take aback
phrasal verb
To surprise or shock someone.
I was taken aback by her honesty about her past.
Often appears as...
- taken aback by
- quite taken aback
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrasal verb
To confuse or fluster someone.
His obscure comment took me aback
Often appears as...
- took aback by
- quite took aback
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrasal verb
To surprise or shock someone.
I was taken aback by her honesty about her past.
Often appears as...
- taken aback by
- quite taken aback
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrasal verb
To confuse or fluster someone.
His obscure comment took me aback
Often appears as...
- took aback by
- quite took aback
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Reaction
Use 'take aback' to describe an immediate emotional response, especially surprise or shock.
She was taken aback by the surprise party her friends threw for her.
Pro Tip 2/3Unexpected Events
'Take aback' is fitting when something happens that is not anticipated and causes a strong reaction.
He was taken aback when he discovered he had won the lottery.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Negative
The phrase doesn't always imply a negative surprise; it can be neutral or positive.
I was taken aback by the sheer beauty of the landscape.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Reaction
Use 'take aback' to describe an immediate emotional response, especially surprise or shock.
She was taken aback by the surprise party her friends threw for her.
Pro Tip 2/3Unexpected Events
'Take aback' is fitting when something happens that is not anticipated and causes a strong reaction.
He was taken aback when he discovered he had won the lottery.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Negative
The phrase doesn't always imply a negative surprise; it can be neutral or positive.
I was taken aback by the sheer beauty of the landscape.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Reaction
Use 'take aback' to describe an immediate emotional response, especially surprise or shock.
She was taken aback by the surprise party her friends threw for her.
Pro Tip 2/3Unexpected Events
'Take aback' is fitting when something happens that is not anticipated and causes a strong reaction.
He was taken aback when he discovered he had won the lottery.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Negative
The phrase doesn't always imply a negative surprise; it can be neutral or positive.
I was taken aback by the sheer beauty of the landscape.
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