aback
uh bak
- r having the wind against the forward side of the sails
the ship came up into the wind with all yards aback - r by surprise
taken aback by the caustic remarks
- At first, McMullen was taken aback.
- I was a bit taken aback because I didn't see it as the primates trying to dictate terms, but to say, look, here is a scheme which we think you could work with.
- But, when the jury came in with her conviction, she reportedly was taken aback.