Definition

1. Adverb:
   • By surprise; suddenly and unexpectedly: Used to describe being startled or shocked by something.
   • (Nautical) Having the wind against the forward side of the sails: Describes a sail's position when the wind presses it against the mast, often slowing or stopping a sailing vessel's forward motion.

Usage and Examples

• Adverb (By surprise):

  • She was taken aback by his sudden anger. (She was shocked by his sudden anger.)
  • The team was taken aback by the negative feedback. (The team was surprised by the negative feedback.)

• Adverb (Nautical):

  • The schooner was caught with all sails aback. (The schooner was caught with the wind pressing all its sails against the masts.)
  • The ship came up into the wind with the yards aback. (The ship turned into the wind with the sails in a backward position.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be taken aback": This is the most common modern usage. It is a fixed phrase meaning to be shocked, surprised, or disconcerted.
  • I was completely taken aback by her generous offer. (I was very surprised by her generous offer.)
  • He was momentarily taken aback, but then he started to laugh. (He was briefly shocked, but then he started to laugh.)

Variants and Related Words

• There are no direct variants (noun, verb, adjective) for the word aback. It is used almost exclusively as an adverb, primarily in the idiom "taken aback."

Synonyms

• Surprised: Feeling or showing surprise.
• Startled: Suddenly frightened or surprised.
• Astonished: Greatly surprised or impressed.
• Taken by surprise: Caught unexpectedly.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• Taken aback: The primary idiom. It is a set phrase. Do not use other prepositions like "taken aback" or "taken aback."
  • Correct: We were taken aback by the announcement.
  • Incorrect: We were taken with aback by the announcement.

Notes on Meaning

• The original nautical meaning is now rare in everyday language. In contemporary English, aback is almost never used alone; it is used in the passive construction "to be taken aback."
• The phrase describes a momentary state of surprise that often causes a pause or hesitation.

Adverb

1. by surprise
   • taken aback by the caustic remarks
2. having the wind against the forward side of the sails
   • the ship came up into the wind with all yards aback