take aback

== English == === Etymology === From take + aback, see the two entries for their respective etymology. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation, General American, Canada) IPA(key): /ˌteɪk əˈbæk/, [ˌtʰeɪ̯.k‿əˈbæk] (General Australian) IPA(key): /ˌtæɪk əˈbæk/, [ˌtʰæɪ̯.k‿əˈbæk] === Verb === take aback (third-person singular simple present takes aback, present participle taking aback, simple past took aback, past participle taken aback) (idiomatic, transitive) To surprise or shock; to discomfit. (nautical, usually passive) Of a ship: to catch it with the sails aback suddenly. ==== Usage notes ==== Most commonly found in the passive voice. Aback is an adverb, so take aback is a separable phrasal verb. The use of the word take implies that the action is happening unexpectedly or against one's will. The sails of a ship are said to be taken aback by a change in the relative direction of the wind, but they are laid aback purposely by the crew. Likewise, someone may say he was taken aback when surprised. ==== Translations ====