throw someone a curve

English

Alternative forms

• throw someone a curveball

Etymology

From the curve ball in baseball, where a spin is employed to adjust the path of the ball unexpectedly.

Verb

throw someone a curve (third-person singular simple present throws someone a curve, present participle throwing someone a curve, simple past threw someone a curve, past participle thrown someone a curve)

1. (baseball) Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: To pitch a curve ball.
2. (figuratively) To surprise; to introduce something unexpected or requiring a quick reaction or correction.

   He really threw me a curve when he asked me a personal question at work.

Translations

pitch a curve ball

to surprise with something unexpected

• Spanish: pescar en curva (a alguien)

See also

• throw for a loop
• bowl a googlie