set back on one's heels
set (one) back on (one's) heels
To put one 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 set us back on our heels, and we weren't able to play to the best of our abilities this morning. The tragedy set the entire community back on their heels.
See also: back, heel, on, set
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
set back on one's heels
Surprise, shock, or disconcert, as in The news of their divorce set us back on our heels. This idiom, with its graphic image of someone being pushed back, dates from the first half of the 1900s.
See also: back, heel, on, set
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
- 1FTR
- drive (one) out of office
- force (one) out of office
- force out of office
- give (one) (one's) head
- give head
- give somebody their head
- give someone their head
- cooking for one
- as one door closes, another (one) opens