throw someone a curve — throw (someone) a curve to surprise someone with a problem or something unexpected. Bill threw me a curve by asking me to go to the theater with him instead of a hockey game. Usage notes: also used in the form throw someone a curveball Etymology … New idioms dictionary
throw someone a curve (ball) — mainly american informal phrase to do something unexpected that makes someone confused or causes problems Thesaurus: to cause problems for someone or somethingsynonym Main entry: curve … Useful english dictionary
throw (someone) a curve (ball) — American & Australian, informal to surprise someone with something that is difficult or unpleasant to deal with. The weather threw a curve at their barbecue and they had to eat indoors … New idioms dictionary
throw someone a curve — idi to take someone by surprise, esp. so as to cause chagrin … From formal English to slang
throw a curve — throw (someone) a curve to surprise someone with a problem or something unexpected. Bill threw me a curve by asking me to go to the theater with him instead of a hockey game. Usage notes: also used in the form throw someone a curveball Etymology … New idioms dictionary
throw a curve — (USA) If you throw someone a curve, you surprise them with something they find difficult to deal with. ( Throw a curveball is also used.) … The small dictionary of idiomes
curve — curvedly /kerr vid lee/, adv. curvedness, n. curveless, adj. /kerrv/, n., v., curved, curving, adj. n. 1. a continuously bending line, without angles. 2. the act or extent of curving. 3. any curved outline, form, thing, or part. 4. a curved… … Universalium
curve — I UK [kɜː(r)v] / US [kɜrv] noun [countable] Word forms curve : singular curve plural curves ** 1) a shape or line with a gradual smooth bend From high above I saw the gentle curve of the bay. a) a bend in a road or river As he rounded the curve… … English dictionary
curve — curve1 [ kɜrv ] noun count ** 1. ) a shape or line with a gradual smooth bend: From high above I saw the gentle curve of the bay. a ) a bend in a road or river: As he rounded the curve he saw her standing by the gate. b ) used about a woman s… … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
curve — [[t]kɜrv[/t]] n. v. curved, curv•ing, adj. 1) math. cv a continuously bending line, without angles 2) the act or extent of curving 3) any curved outline, form, thing, or part 4) cvb a curved section of a road, railroad track, path, etc 5) spo… … From formal English to slang
curve ball — /kɜv ˈbɔl/ (say kerv bawl) –noun 1. Baseball a type of pitch in which spin is imparted to the ball causing it to follow a curving trajectory which drops as the ball approaches the plate. –phrase 2. throw someone a curve ball, Colloquial to… …
