0
Angliholic Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
He was taken aback by the turn of events.
He was taken aback by the turn of events.
Hi,
Does the above mean "he was surprised by the development of events and backed up a few steps" or "he was stunned by the sudden change of events without actually stepping back?" Thanks.
Hi,
Does the above mean "he was surprised by the development of events and backed up a few steps" or "he was stunned by the sudden change of events without actually stepping back?" Thanks.
Top answer
It has nothing to do with stepping back. It means to be shocked or surprised This idiom comes from nautical terminology of the mid-1700s, when be taken aback referred to the stalling of a ship caused by a wind shift that made the sails lay back against the masts.
- It has nothing to do with stepping back.
- It means to be shocked or surprised This idiom comes from nautical terminology of the mid-1700s, when be taken aback referred to the stalling of a ship caused by a wind shift that made the sails lay back against the masts.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
2 Answers
0
It has nothing to do with stepping back.
It means to be shocked or surprised
This idiom comes from nautical terminology of the mid-1700s, when be taken aback referred to the stalling of a ship caused by a wind shift that made the sails lay back against the masts.
It means to be shocked or surprised
This idiom comes from nautical terminology of the mid-1700s, when be taken aback referred to the stalling of a ship caused by a wind shift that made the sails lay back against the masts.
00
Thanks, AlpheccaStars.
To make sure, what does "the turn of events" mean exactly?
To make sure, what does "the turn of events" mean exactly?
0
Related Questions