throw someone a curve

verb

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: To pitch a curve ball.

“He really threw me a curve when he asked me a personal question at work.”

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Meanings

verbthrow 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)

present singular third person throws someone a curve · participle present throwing someone a curve · past threw someone a curve · participle past thrown someone a curve · alternative throw someone a curveball

  1. ball gamesUsed other than figuratively or idiomatically: To pitch a curve ball.
  2. figurativelyTo 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.

Origin

From the curve ball in baseball, where a spin is employed to adjust the path of the ball unexpectedly.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

German überrumpeln
  • überrumpelnto surprise with something unexpected
Polish podkręcać piłkę, podkręcić piłkę
  • podkręcać piłkępitch a curve ball
  • podkręcić piłkępitch a curve ball
  • dawać zagwozdkęto surprise with something unexpected
  • dać zagwozdkęto surprise with something unexpected
Spanish pescar en curva (a alguien)
  • pescar en curva (a alguien)to surprise with something unexpected
Cite this entry
APA

throw someone a curve. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/throw%20someone%20a%20curve

MLA

“throw someone a curve.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/throw%20someone%20a%20curve. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “throw someone a curve,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/throw%20someone%20a%20curve.

Source: throw someone a curve on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.