词源词根法
来自古英语短语on back,其字面意思是“向后”,来自古代帆船时代的航海用语,用于表示帆船在前行的过程中被突然改变的风向,也就是突然向后吹的逆风阻挡而不能继续前行,由于这种逆风的突然性,往往使人大吃一惊,所以后来该词又延伸出引申义,表示“猝不及防地,突然地,震惊”。aback现在主要存在于短语take aback(使吃惊,使惊呆),在其他地方很少用到。
Jenny was taken aback by some of the portraits.
其中一些肖像画使詹妮大吃一惊.
来源:《简明英汉词典》He was taken aback by such inhospitality.
他被此种冷漠下了一跳.
来源:网络期刊摘选He was taken aback, but he managed to remain calm.
他心里一惊, 但表面上却仍神色自若.
来源:——《现代汉英综合大词典》Rather taken aback by such forwardness, I slammed down the phone.
如此无礼的言语让我火冒三丈,我砰的一下把电话挂了。
来源:柯林斯词典例句库Saying that Joan was taken aback is to put it mildly. She was completely flabbergasted.
说琼吃了一惊,这是很保守的说法. 她其实是完全惊呆了.
来源:《简明英汉词典》The little girl screamed and it took us aback.
小女孩的尖叫声吓了我们一跳.
来源:《简明英汉词典》The news took me aback.
这条消息把我搞得措手不及.
来源:《简明英汉词典》Lao Wang seemed taken aback.
老王似乎很吃惊.
来源:网络期刊摘选Alan was taken aback but then he became aware that the crickets had started.
他吃了一惊,随后意识到蛐蛐儿的鸣叫声已经响起.
来源:网络期刊摘选He was taken aback by her directaess.
她的直率使他吃惊.
来源:网络期刊摘选