take aback
Third Person
takes aback
Present Participle
taking aback
Past Tense
took aback
Past Participle
taken aback
1
to surprise someone so much that they are unable to react quickly
transitive
- The unexpected news took her aback, and she couldn't respond immediately.
- His sudden resignation took the entire team aback.
- The loud crash in the kitchen took us all aback, and we rushed to see what happened.
- The unexpected success of the project took everyone aback.
- The startling revelation in the investigation report took the committee aback.
Synonyms: