take aback
verb
- to surprise, shock, or offend
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˌteɪk əˈbæk/ / [ˌtʰeɪ̯.k‿əˈbæk] / /ˌtæɪk əˈbæk/
verb
Etymology: From take + aback, see the two entries for their respective etymology.
- To surprise or shock; to discomfit.
“I was rather taken aback by his angry reply.”
“The bad news took us aback.”
- Of a ship: to catch it with the sails aback suddenly.