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) (baseball) Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: To pitch a curve ball. (figuratively) To surprise; to introduce something unexpected or requiring a quick reaction or correction. ==== Translations ==== === See also === throw for a loop bowl a googlie