ネイティブが教える英会話のジェムスクール☆Teachers☆

Technically this is a phrasal verb and/or collocation, however many idioms, if not all, fall under the umbrella of idioms.



TAKE SOMEONE ABACK

to surprise or shock someone so much that they do not know how to behave for a short time. It's usually used in a positive sense.



EXAMPLES

I was a little taken aback at the directness of the question.

The news really took us aback.



HISTORY

The phrase "taken aback" comes from nautical terminology and originated in the 1700s. It was used to describe when a ship's sails were blown flat against the masts by a sudden shift in the wind, causing the ship to stall or be pushed backward.
The word "aback" comes from the Old English phrase on bæc, which means "at or on the back". The figurative use of the phrase "taken aback" to describe being surprised or shocked by something else began in the early to mid 19th century. For example, "Whigs, Tories, and Radicals, were all taken aback with astonishment, that the Ministers had not come forward with some moderate plan of reform.

  

Pokemon is very popular in America too! Just look at most recent cover of Time magazine. I absolutely loved this franchise growing up and still do!  

I keep seeing more and more cats around town! I’m so happy that they all seem so heathy and happy even though they’re street cats!