Take aback

Throw for a loop / Catch someone on the wrong foot / Catch off guard / Take by surprise


Spiazzare

Prendere in contropiede

Meanings
To surprise or shock someone so much that they do not know how to behave for a short time
Examples
The solution she had in mind seemed to her the only possible one, but her husband angry reaction took her aback
La soluzione che aveva pensato le sembrava l'unica possibile al momento, per cui la reazione violenta del marito l'ha veramente spiazzata
The movie star was taken aback, and didn't know what to do, when he saw that paparazzi were waiting for him outside of the plastic surgeon's office
Il divo del cinema si ritrovò spiazzato, non sapendo cosa fare, quando vide i paparazzi che lo aspettavano all'uscita dello studio di chirurgia plastica
You're taking me on the wrong foot; I don't know what to say
Mi prendi in contropiede; non so che cosa dire
The decision to strike threw the company for a loop, as they believed everything had been settled
La decisione dello sciopero ha preso in contropiede la compagnia che pensava di aver risolto ogni problema
The unprepared city was taken aback by the unexpected snowfall
La nevicata improvvisa ha preso in contropiede la città che non era ancora preparata