The phrase "are taken aback" means to be surprised or shocked. The phonetic transcription for "are taken aback" is /ər teɪkən əˈbæk/. The first sound represented by the symbol /ə/ is a schwa sound, which is a vowel sound that is pronounced like "uh." The next sound /teɪ/ represents the diphthong "ay" which is a combination of the sounds "a" and "e" in that order. The final sound /əˈbæk/ represents the stressed syllable "back" which ends with a voiceless /k/ sound.
"Are taken aback" is a phrase that is used to describe the feeling of surprise, shock, or astonishment experienced by someone when they encounter an unexpected or startling event or information. This idiom signifies being caught off guard or being momentarily unable to react due to the unexpected nature of the situation.
When individuals are taken aback, they might experience a sudden loss of composure or find themselves momentarily speechless. It often denotes a state of confusion, as if their thoughts have been disrupted by an unforeseen circumstance or piece of news. This phrase can describe various reactions, such as being stunned, dumbfounded, or bewildered.
This expression is commonly used to describe a person's emotional response to something that challenges their assumptions, contradicts their expectations, or goes against what they believed to be true. For example, one might be taken aback when receiving bad news, when being confronted with an unexpected turn of events, or when learning a shocking revelation.
The phrase "are taken aback" originated from nautical terminology, where "aback" referred to a ship's sails unexpectedly reversing their position due to a sudden shift in wind direction, causing the vessel to momentarily lose control over its movements. This translation suggests the idea of being caught off guard, just like a ship unexpectedly and temporarily losing its ability to sail steadily.