confused or surprised by something unexpected.

Company executives have been taken aback by the criticism.

I asked him directly if he was looking for someone with my skills, and I think he was kind of taken aback.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of aback (= backward), which is not used in modern English

• cut the Gordian knot
• cut the ground from under feet
• cut the ground from under someone feet
• cut the ground from under someone's feet
• cut the umbilical cord
• cut things fine
• cut through
• cut through like a hot knife through butter
• cut through like a knife through butter
• cut through something
• cut through something like a hot knife through butter
• cut through something like a knife through butter
• cut to the chase
• cut to the quick
• cut two ways
• cut up rough
• cut your coat according to cloth
• cut your coat according to your cloth
• cut your losses
• cut your own throat
• cut your teeth
• cut your teeth in
• cut your teeth in something
• damned if do and damned if don't
• damned if do and damned if you don't