take aback

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to surprise someone so strongly that they are briefly unsure how to respond

   Phrasal verb · Separable

   take someone aback / be taken aback

   Usage: The affected person comes between take and aback; this expression is very often passive: be taken aback.

   She was taken aback by the unexpected offer of a promotion.

   Sources and attribution

   OpenAI Codex authors; independent AI editorial review recorded in the corpus review archive. — Original project editorial material; cleared for The Missing Workbook

   • The Missing Workbook: original construction review

   She was taken aback by the unexpected offer of a promotion.

Topics

External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary