Throw a curve Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈθɹoʊ/ /ˈeɪ/, /ə/ /ˈkɝv

THROH-uh-KURV

UK

θɹˈəʊ/ /æɪ/ /kˈɜːv

throh-uh-KURV

Definition

To surprise someone with something unexpected or difficult, especially a question or situation they are not prepared for.

Usage & Nuances

Mostly informal, American English. Comes from baseball; also used as 'throw a curveball' more commonly. Applies to unexpected challenges or surprises, often in conversation or life events. Not used for positive surprises.

• Spanish: sorprender - pillar desprevenido (expresión)
• Portuguese (BR): pegar de surpresa - surpreender (expressão)
• Portuguese (PT): apanhar de surpresa - surpreender (expressão)
• Chinese (Simplified): 出其不意 - 让某人措手不及（表达）
• Chinese (Traditional): 出其不意 - 讓某人措手不及（表達）
• Hindi: अचानक चौंका देना - अप्रत्याशित रूप से पेश आना (मुहावरा)
• Arabic: يفاجئ - يربك بشكل غير متوقع (تعبير)
• Bengali: অপ্রত্যাশিত কিছু করা - অসুবিধায় ফেলা
• Russian: ставить в затруднительное положение - подбросить неожиданную задачу
• Japanese: 不意打ちを食らわせる - 意表を突く
• Vietnamese: gây bất ngờ khó chịu - làm khó
• Korean: 예상치 못한 상황을 만들다 - 곤란하게 하다
• Turkish: beklenmedik bir sorun çıkarmak - ters köşe yapmak
• Urdu: اچانک مشکل میں ڈال دینا - غیر متوقع صورت حال پیدا کرنا
• Indonesian: làm khó bất ngờ - đưa ra thách thức bất ngờ

Example Sentences

The teacher threw a curve during the quiz.

basic

Her question really threw a curve at me.

basic

They threw a curve when they changed the plan suddenly.

basic

My boss threw a curve in the meeting with an unexpected question.

natural

Life can throw a curve when you least expect it.

natural

Just when I thought everything was fine, the news threw a curve at us.

natural