Verb take aback has 1 sense
  1. shock, stun, floor, ball over, blow out of the water, take aback - surprise greatly; knock someone's socks off; "I was floored when I heard that I was promoted"
    --1 is one way to surprise
    Sample sentences:
    The bad news will take aback him
    The good news will take aback her
    The performance is likely to take aback Sue
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