Crossword Genius

A defender may be surprised taken so (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

aback

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'surprised taken so' is the definition.
'aback' can be an answer for 'surprised' (I've seen this before). I am not certain of the 'taken so' bit.

'a defender' is the wordplay.
'defender' becomes 'back' (left-backs and right-backs are football defenders).
'a'+'back'='ABACK'

'may be' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for aback that I've seen before include "(Taken) by surprise" , "To take someone -- is to surprise them" , "dismayed to be taken thus?" , "Towards the rear (arch.)" , "One is surprised when taken thus" .)

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