take aback

überraschen, verblüffen

Jemanden so stark überraschen, dass die Person nicht weiß, wie sie reagieren soll.

In einfachem Englisch: To surprise someone so much that they feel unsure how to react.

• Her question took me aback.
• We were taken aback by the size of the bill.
• Were you taken aback when he announced his resignation?

So benutzt man es: be taken aback by something (I was taken aback by her angry reply.); take someone aback (His sudden question took me aback.)

Synonyme: surprise, startle, shock

Häufige Wendungen: take someone aback, take aback someone

backbrassen

Ein Segelschiff plötzlich mit Wind auf der falschen Seite seiner Segel treffen.

In einfachem Englisch: To catch a sailing ship suddenly with wind pressing against the wrong side of its sails.

• The ship was taken aback.
• A sudden gust took the small vessel aback.
• The crew reacted quickly when their ship was taken aback.

So benutzt man es: a ship is taken aback (The ship was taken aback by a sudden change in the wind.)

Häufige Wendungen: take something aback, take aback a ship