take aback

surprendre, déconcerter

Surprendre quelqu’un au point qu’il ne sache pas comment réagir.

En anglais simple : 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?

Comment l'utiliser : be taken aback by something (I was taken aback by her angry reply.); take someone aback (His sudden question took me aback.)

Synonymes : surprise, startle, shock

Expressions courantes : take someone aback, take aback someone

prendre à contre

Faire soudain recevoir à un voilier le vent sur le mauvais côté de ses voiles.

En anglais simple : 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.

Comment l'utiliser : a ship is taken aback (The ship was taken aback by a sudden change in the wind.)

Expressions courantes : take something aback, take aback a ship