Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[jasonlulu_2000]

A great many people are disappointed because of unrealistic expectations.

Walking up to a department store's fabric counter, an attractive young woman said, "I want to buy this material for a new dress. How much does it cost?"

"Only one kiss per yard," replied the smirking male clerk.

Not to be taken back by the harassment, the woman said, "That's fine! I'll take ten yards."

I cannot find the exact meaning of "be taken back" in a dictionary.
Besides, shouldn't we say" Not taken back by the harassment, the woman said.instead.

Thanks

[pugachevV]

The correct idiom is "to be taken aback".
This dates from the days of sailing ships. A ship is taken aback when the wind blows the sails back against the mast. This causes the ship to stop its forward motion and may blow it backwards, even. For the crew of a ship it is a surprising and embarrassing position to be in.
Its figurative use, as in your example, means that the woman did not allow herself to be embarrassed by the sales clerk's behaviour, but called his bluff, by saying she would take ten yards.

[jasonlulu_2000]

Thank you very much!