throw someone a curve

English

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

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

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to surprise with something unexpected

• Spanish: pescar en curva (a alguien)
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}

See also

• throw for a loop
• bowl a googlie