be taken aback

be taken aback
to be shocked or surprised, especially by something that someone says or does to you

Bill was taken aback by the girl's directness.


English dictionary. 2014.

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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

  • 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 — 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

  • 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

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