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The meaning of TAKE ABACK is to surprise or shock (someone) —usually used as (be) taken aback —often + by. How to use take aback in a sentence.
TAKE SOMEONE ABACK definition: 1. to surprise or shock someone so much that they do not know how to behave for a short time: 2…. Learn more.
I was taken aback when the announcement of the chairman was made this morning. They were taken aback because many small businesses, especially new businesses, could have been landed with unknown, potentially damaging cash liabilities. These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web.
He struggled as television crews tried to mike him up for sound and seemed taken aback when delegates asked him for an autograph. The landlord, who seemed to be thoroughly taken aback, unlocked the door with a trembling hand, and the missionary passed out.
He was taken aback because in those days you could say what you wanted. The Guardian ( 2018 ) Another was taken aback that this music legend was talking so directly to her.
Definition of take aback phrasal verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
take (one) aback. To startle, astonish, shock, or disconcert one. It took us all aback a bit to learn that John was moving to England next month. I'm sure the news of the merger takes everyone aback, but please believe me that this is in the best interest of the company.
Take aback definition: to astonish or disconcert. See examples of TAKE ABACK used in a sentence.
1. Nautical. in an unmanageable condition, as because of a sudden shift of wind to the opposite side of the sails. 2. startled and confused. See full dictionary entry for aback. Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved. taken aback in American English.
surprise greatly; knock someone's socks off.
