change-up

See also change up

English

Alternative forms

• changeup

Etymology

Probably alteration of change-of-pace

Noun

change-up (plural change-ups)

1. An unexpected event.

   This RFQ is a real change-up.

2. (baseball) A pitch thrown with the arm motion of a fastball, but which travels at a much slower velocity because it is released without the fingers adding power to the delivery.

   The pitcher had a devastating change-up.

Synonyms

• (slower than expected baseball pitch): change-of-pace

Coordinate terms

• curveball
• slider
• cut fastball
• two-seam fastball
• split-finger fastball
• sinker
• screwball
• knuckleball