Meaning & use
throws curveball
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“throws curveball” is a form of “throw a curveball”.
Meanings
phraseidiomfigurativeinformal
to surprise someone with an unexpected problem or situation that is hard to deal with.
Grammar: Often used as 'throws someone a curveball' or 'throws a curveball at someone'. The subject is usually a person or event.
Patterns
- throws someone a curveball
- throws a curveball at someone
- life throws you a curveball
The boss threw us a curveball by moving the deadline up.
Life often throws you a curveball when you least expect it.
The weather threw a curveball at our picnic plans.
phraseidiomsport
in baseball, throws a pitch that curves as it approaches the batter.
Grammar: Literal sports use: the pitcher throws a curveball.
Patterns
- throws a curveball
- throws a curve
The pitcher throws a curveball that's hard to hit.
He throws a curveball on a 3-2 count.
Common combinations
- throw someone a curveball
- The teacher threw us a curveball with a pop quiz.
- life throws you a curveball
- When life throws you a curveball, you have to adapt.
- throw a curveball at someone
- They threw a curveball at the negotiators with a new demand.
- a real curveball
- The sudden resignation was a real curveball.
Synonyms and how they differ
Word family
- curveball noun
- The pitch or the unexpected event itself.
Commonly confused: throws curveball or throw a ball?
throws curveball vs throw a ball
Literal: to throw any ball. 'Throw a curveball' is the idiom for surprising someone.
Practice
What does 'throws a curveball' mean in the sentence: 'The CEO throws a curveball at every meeting'?
Choose one answer.
In a business context, it means to surprise people with something unexpected. The literal baseball meaning doesn't fit a meeting.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “throws curveball”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.