Taken Aback (Origin)

What Is the Origin of the "Taken Aback"?

The term taken aback means to be surprised to the extent of being stopped in your tracks. Aback is a nautical term. It means a sudden change in wind direction. When a sail ship encounters an aback, it slows considerably and can even be driven backwards.

How Do You Say "Taken Aback"?

• Taken Aback

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More Examples of Use

• She was taken aback by his sudden anger.
• When I told my parents I'd dropped out, they were completely taken aback.
• We were all taken aback after learning he'd returned to India.

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