Taken aback?????

[taliesin238]

What does the saying taken aback mean?? Does it mean you were insulted or really nicely surprised??? I really need to know!!
Many thanks

[isis4691]

Follow this link and all will be explained!
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/taken-aback .html

[inksplotter]

It can mean either really.

[lozgirl]

it just means shocked by whats happened

[VS Prasad]

taken aback - surprised and disconcerted: "I was taken aback by his harsh criticism".

[Origin: bef. 1000; ME abak, OE on b�c to the rear.

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=taken +aback&r=66

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.

http://www.bartleby.com/81/11.html