Surprised way to be taken (5)
I believe the answer is:
aback
'surprised way to be taken' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for aback that I've seen before include "impeded by headwind?" , "Towards the rear (arch.)" , "To take someone -- is to surprise them" , "Sternwards" , "dismayed to be taken thus?" .)