Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

set someone back on their heels

idiom

/sɛt ˈsʌmˌwʌn bæk ɒn ðɛr hiːlz/

Definition

To surprise or shock someone, causing them to feel disoriented or uncertain.

Examples

The sudden resignation of the CEO really set the whole team back on their heels.
When she announced her plans to move abroad, it set her friends back on their heels.
The unexpected twist in the plot set the audience back on their heels.

Meaning

This idiomatic expression refers to the act of putting someone in a state of surprise or confusion, often when they are faced with an unexpected situation or revelation.