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Taken aback

adj, verb

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Surprised, shocked. figuratively

    "It was a casual sneer, obviously one of a long line. There was hatred behind it, but of a quiet, chronic type, nothing new or unduly virulent, and he was taken aback by the flicker of amazed incredulity that passed over the younger man's ravaged face."

  2. 2
    Said of a ship, when the wind, suddenly changing, forces the sails aft against the mast.
Verb
  1. 1
    past participle of take aback form-of, participle, past

Etymology

Etymology 1

From taken + aback, first attested in 1840.

Etymology 2

From taken + aback, first attested in 1840.

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