How Do You Spell TAKING ABACK?

Pronunciation: [tˈe͡ɪkɪŋ ɐbˈak] (IPA)

The phrase "taking aback" means to surprise or shock someone. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is written as /ˈteɪkɪŋ əbæk/. The "t" in "taking" is pronounced as the voiceless alveolar stop /t/, while the "k" sound in "back" is the voiceless velar plosive /k/. The vowel sound in "taking" is /eɪ/, which is a diphthong made up of the open-mid front unrounded vowel /e/ and the close front unrounded vowel /ɪ/. Similarly, the "a" sound in "aback" is pronounced as the open back unrounded vowel /æ/.

Meaning and Definition
Common Misspellings
Etymology
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TAKING ABACK Meaning and Definition

  1. Taking aback is a phrase that describes the state of being surprised, astonished, or unexpectedly caught off guard by something. It refers to a sudden and unexpected reaction to an event, statement, or situation, leaving one momentarily speechless or unsure of how to react. When someone is taken aback, they are usually left in a state of confusion or disbelief.

    The phrase is derived from nautical terminology, specifically referring to the action of a sudden gust of wind hitting a ship's sails from an unexpected direction, knocking it back (aback) and temporarily stalling its progress. This image of a ship being caught off guard and momentarily halted captures the essence of being taken aback.

    Taking aback can be used in a wide range of contexts. It can be used to describe the initial reaction to shocking news, a surprising revelation, or an unexpected change in circumstances. It can also refer to the act of surprising someone to the extent that they are unable to respond immediately.

    Overall, taking aback implies a sense of being momentarily stunned or shocked, causing a disruption in one's normal thought process or ability to react. It denotes an unforeseen event or information that temporarily leaves an individual perplexed, unable to gather their thoughts or respond appropriately.

Common Misspellings for TAKING ABACK

  • raking aback
  • faking aback
  • gaking aback
  • yaking aback
  • 6aking aback
  • 5aking aback
  • tzking aback
  • tsking aback
  • twking aback
  • tqking aback
  • tajing aback
  • taming aback
  • taling aback
  • taoing aback
  • taiing aback
  • takung aback
  • takjng aback
  • takkng aback
  • takong aback
  • tak9ng aback

Etymology of TAKING ABACK

The phrase "taking aback" can be traced back to nautical origins. The word "aback" in this context refers to the position of a ship's sails when the wind suddenly changes direction and blows against them from the opposite side. When this occurs, the sails are taken aback, causing the ship to lose forward momentum and potentially be driven backward. This unexpected change in wind direction can be dangerous and catch the sailors off guard, leaving them momentarily stunned or surprised. Over time, this nautical term extended its meaning to describe a feeling of surprise or being taken by surprise in a more general sense. Thus, "taking aback" came to be used figuratively to express the state of being caught off guard or astonished.