aback

Từ điển LongMan Dictionary

a‧back/əˈbæk/ adverb
[date : 1100-1200; Language : Old English; Origin : on bæc 'backward']
be taken aback (by something) to be very surprised or shocked by something:
　 ▪ For a moment, I was completely taken aback by her request.

adverb
COLLOCATIONS FROM CORPUS
VERB
take
▪ Being surprised by opinion polls is like being taken aback by blue skies.
▪ Intel was taken aback by the intensity of public anger.
▪ The young major was momentarily taken aback by the sheer opulence of the room.
▪ The authorities were taken aback, and took the unprecedented step of cordoning off the painting.
▪ He was slightly taken aback by the sheer size of the girl.
▪ Hernandez seemed taken aback by the attention his proposed bonfire created.
▪ Henry, taken aback, replied weakly that he had not had carnal relations with Anne's mother.
▪ Lucenzo looked up as if he'd only just realised she'd slipped away, and seemed taken aback when he saw her.
EXAMPLES FROM CORPUS
▪ He seemed even more taken aback than I was, and this heartened me.
▪ He was momentarily a bit taken aback.
▪ Intel was taken aback by the intensity of public anger.
▪ She appeared taken aback, as if she had only just realised that the pair of them were not alone.
▪ The authorities were taken aback, and took the unprecedented step of cordoning off the painting.
▪ The singer is capable of delicacy, as well; the occasional pianissimo utterance takes you aback.
▪ They all looked suitably taken aback by his entrance, muttering disapproval whilst he insisted that Ockleton step outside.
▪ Though she did seem taken aback, come to think of it.