English Expression · Intermediate
take aback
To surprise or shock
Pronunciation: /ˌteɪk əˈbæk/
Meaning
To surprise or shock someone, often causing them to pause or feel confused.
Example
I was rather taken aback by his angry reply.
I was rather taken aback by his angry reply.
Practice tips
- Practice take aback out loud — read the pronunciation guide above and repeat.
- Use it in your own sentence today; reuse beats rereading.
- Pay attention to context: this English expression is for intermediate-level learners.