taken aback vs taken a back

The correct phrase is "taken aback." It is a common expression used to describe being surprised or shocked by something. On the other hand, "taken a back" is not a standard phrase in English.

Last updated: March 26, 2024 • 1168 views

taken aback

This is the correct phrase commonly used in English to express being surprised or shocked.

The phrase "taken aback" is used to describe the feeling of being surprised or shocked by something unexpected.

Examples:

I was taken aback by his sudden outburst.
She was taken aback when she heard the news.
The unexpected turn of events left him taken aback.
He was taken aback by her harsh words.
The revelation in the meeting left everyone taken aback.

Show examples from the web [+]

I'm sure he'd be delightfully taken aback if you cleaned your apartment.
I am therefore somewhat taken aback to learn that you have not received this list of names so that you could announce them to the House.
I am also somewhat taken aback by the reactions in this House, where the divide is once again apparent.
Though initially taken aback, Aquaman blessed the relationship.
But this time Nick was not taken aback.
So I am a little taken aback by your statement.
I was momentarily taken aback by the direction of your question.
Lord Hugo did look taken aback when he read it, but he's already ordered the preparations begun.
Ainhoa, this is the first boy I know and... forgive me, I was taken aback.
But can you make it to the end of the woods? I was actually pretty taken aback by how much I really enjoyed this arcade game.
He was a little taken aback by your encounter on the golf course.
I think that everyone here was taken aback by this enumeration of the amendments that have been refused, often without very detailed explanations.
Mr President, I was totally taken aback when reading the draft resolution by this House on the situation in Haiti.
I was a little taken aback when Mr Belet criticised the Commission for having made an exception for large and expensive off-road vehicles.
I'm surprised, too, and taken aback, quite far back.
Earlier, at the school, I was a bit taken aback.
A bit taken aback by his hostility, Gabrielle nevertheless smiles at the man.
He was taken aback by this request it was 18 days after Her death and he thought that by now the corpse must be decomposed.
I anticipated that many would struggle to comprehend my theory, but I must admit, I've been a little taken aback by the jeers and the snubs, particularly from the Nobel committee.

taken a back

This is not a standard phrase in English. The correct form is "taken aback."

Show examples from the web [+]

Slash a lot taken a back, that you would take my patient my patient out of the hospital without my permission.
The King has taken a back road to Christchurch.
Of course I was taken a back by that close encounter of the third kind.
No, it's kind of taken a back seat.
No, baseball's sort of taken a back seat for me.
However, I regret that the objectives of the migration policies have been ignored again and have taken a back seat behind the issue of combating illegal immigration and strengthening the Frontex Agency.
I don't know. I'm a little, you know, taken a back.
But this time, she was taken a back by what was on display.

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taken aback vs taken a back

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