be set aback

be set aback

To be startled, astonished, shocked, or disconcerted. (A less common variant of "be taken aback.") All of us were a bit set aback to learn that John was moving to England next month. I must admit that I was set aback when I heard we weren't receiving our bonuses this year. Because I found math to be so easy in secondary school, I was set aback by how hard it was for me in university.

See also: aback, set

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.