take aback

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Ranking member Robert Garcia, D-Calif., said he was “very taken aback” by the rules being “not enforced and certainly just broken immediately.”

From Salon

When county clerk Brianna Lennon got an email in November saying a newly expanded federal system had flagged 74 people on the county’s voter roll as potential noncitizens, she was taken aback.

From Salon

“Oh?” said the musk ox, taken aback by Duane’s unusually forceful voice.

From Literature

But the St Andrews gym owner was taken aback when a message came in from the national paracycling team of Kenya.

From BBC

"Even when I walked out the store, I was still a bit taken aback by it."

From BBC