pitch (one) a curve (ball)
(redirected from pitched a curve)pitch
1. noun, informal A line, speech, or argument intended to persuade someone or sell something. He gave a good pitch, but it wasn't enough to convince our board of directors. You've got to have your pitch polished and ready at all times. You never know when you'll end up meeting a prospective client.
2. verb, informal To persuade (someone of something) or sell (something to someone) with a targeted, promotional speech or argument. He pitched his new movie to me, but I thought it sounded too silly to be a commercial success. I'd like to pitch you a couple of my ideas, if you don't mind.
pitch (one) a curve (ball)
To do something unexpected or deceptive that surprises, confuses, thwarts, or outwits someone. Her confidence and fact-of-the-matter answers pitched police a curve during their questioning. I had only been reading the textbook instead of going to classes, so a few of the questions on the final exam really pitched me a curve ball.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
pitch someone a curve(ball)
Fig. to surprise someone with an unexpected act or event. (Referring to a curve-ball in baseball. It is the route of the ball that is curved, not the ball itself. See also throw someone a curve(ball).) You really pitched me a curveball when you said I had done a poor job. I did my best. You asked Tom a trick question. You certainly pitched him a curve.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
pitch
/throw (someone) a curve ball Slang1. To mislead; deceive.
2. To cause to be surprised, especially unpleasantly so.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.