The sudden news took me aback.
take aback
idiomTo surprise or shock; to discomfit.
Origin
disputed originFrom take + aback, see the two entries for their respective etymology.
I was taken aback when my boss announced that the office would close next month.
The candidate was visibly taken aback by the unexpected question, struggling for a moment to regain his composure before answering.
- 01
cross to take up
Alternative form of cross to bear.
- 02
forget to take one's medication this morning
To be annoyed or irritable, or to behave in an ill-mannered way, particularly in the morning.
- 03
give and take
A process of compromise or accommodation.
- 04
give someone an inch and someone will take a mile
Alternative form of give them an inch and they'll take a mile.
- 05
I take it
Used to express one's understanding of another's position.
- 06
kick ass and take names
To beat someone in a competition, fight, or other situation.
- 07
let nature take its course
To permit events to proceed or a situation to develop without intervention or interference.
- 08
take a back seat
To adopt a position of noninvolvement.