Grammar fix
be gobsmacked
be extremely surprised
To be extremely surprised or amazed by something unexpected.
How oftenNow and then
LevelC1
Used inMostly spoken
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
I was absolutely gobsmacked when they told me I had won.
I was gobsmacked when my parents secretly organised a birthday party for me, because they usually forget things like that.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: I was jaw-dropped when I saw the bill.
Say: I was gobsmacked when I saw the bill.
'Jaw-dropping' describes the thing that surprises you; for how you feel, say 'gobsmacked' (UK, informal) or 'stunned'.
Don't confuse it
Other ways to say it
Be shocked by something unexpected
How strongTaken abackAstonished
be taken abackUnexpected news or behaviour briefly unsettles you.get overAlways 'can't get over it': amazement that stays with you.
be gobsmackedYou're here · Mainly British and informal: extremely surprised.