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I was taken aback—I was greatly astonished—taken by surprise—startled. It is a sea term. A ship is “taken aback” when the sails are suddenly carried by the wind back against the mast, instantly staying the ship’s progress—very dangerous in a strong gale.

 

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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.

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A
A1
A.B
A.B.C
A B C Book
A.B.C. Process (The)
A. E. I. O. U
A.U.C
Aaron
Ab
Aback
Abacus
Abaddon
Abambou
Abandon
Abandon fait larron
Abaris
Abate
Abatement
Abaton
Abbassides