put (one) back on (one's) heels
put (one) back on (one's) heels
To put someone into a state of surprise, unease, or bemusement, especially such that it affects their ability to perform or function. The sudden arrest of one of our teammates last night certainly put us back on our heels, and we weren't able to play to the best of our abilities this morning. The tragedy put the entire community back on their heels.
See also: back, heel, on, put
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
- rock (one) back on (one's) heels
- set (one) back on (one's) heels
- set back on one's heels
- set one back on heels
- set someone back on their heels
- set you back on your heels
- have a (sudden) rush of blood to the head
- have a rush of blood to the head
- of a sudden
- all of a sudden