Take aback

From Fresh Dictionary

English

Etymology

((nautical{{#if:|, {{{2}}}{{#if:|, {{{3}}}{{#if:|, {{{4}}}{{#if:|, {{{5}}}{{#if:|, {{{6}}}{{#if:|, {{{7}}}{{#if:|, {{{8}}}{{#if:|, {{{9}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}})) a square-rigged ship is taken aback when the wind blows on the front of the sails

Verb

to take aback

1. To surprise or shock; to discomfit.
2. (nautical) (usually passive) Of a ship: to catch it with the sails aback suddenly.

fr:take aback