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Take Aback

What Does "Take Aback" Mean?

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"Take aback" is an English idiom. It means "to be surprised, shocked, or caught off guard by something unexpected or unusual."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "take aback" used in a sentence:
  • Her sudden resignation took the entire team aback; no one saw it coming.
  • The unexpected news of their engagement left us all taken aback in the best possible way.
  • It's not easy to take someone aback with a surprise when they are usually prepared for anything.
meaning for take aback

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Take Aback" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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