English Explanatory Dictionary

take aback

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To surprise or shock; to discomfit.
  2. Of a ship: to catch it with the sails aback suddenly.

Pronunciation

/ˌteɪk əˈbæk/ [ˌtʰeɪ̯.k‿əˈbæk] /ˌtæɪk əˈbæk/ [ˌtʰæɪ̯.k‿əˈbæk] En-au-take aback.ogg

Word forms

take aback takes aback taking aback took aback taken aback

Etymology

From take + aback, see the two entries for their respective etymology.

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