curve ball
1. In baseball, a ball that curves in its trajectory toward home plate. He's a good batter, but he has a hard time hitting a curve ball. After this surgery, you won't be the power pitcher you once were, so you'll need to develop your off-speed stuff, like the curve ball. Once you have more at-bats at the major league level, you'll have an easier time discerning the curve ball from the slider.
2. An unexpected occurrence or thing that causes confusion or uncertainty. I thought I had confirmed my hypothesis, so these results are a real curve ball. Wait, Olivia's really leaving the company—right in the middle of this project? That's a curve ball. I had only been reading the textbook instead of going to classes, so a few of the questions on the final exam were a real curve ball.
3. A deceptive action or thing. I don't know, I think her sudden displays of affection are just a curve ball to get me to trust her. The end of that trick always throws the audience a curve ball. I love watching their faces as they desperately try to figure it out. Her confidence and fact-of-the-matter answers threw the police a curve ball during their questioning.
throw (one) a curveball
To do something unexpected or deceptive that surprises, confuses, thwarts, or outwits one. A curveball is a pitch in baseball intended to be difficult to hit due to its curving path. Primarily heard in US. The end of that trick always throws the audience a curveball. I love watching their faces as they desperately try to figure it out. It really threw Stu a curveball when Olivia announced she was leaving the company.
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