# take aback

> English word · Verb · IPA /ˌteɪk əˈbæk/

## Definitions
1. To surprise or shock; to discomfit.
2. Of a ship: to catch it with the sails aback suddenly.

## Etymology
From take + aback, see the two entries for their respective etymology.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-09-03.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/take-aback