throw (someone) a curve/curveball

phrase

: to present (someone) with a difficult and unexpected problem, situation, question, etc.

The reporter threw the candidate a curve by asking about his past drug use.

Recently, Mother Nature threw us a curveball in the form of a 50-degree day in the middle of January.

—Molly Cavanaugh

The sea will throw you a lot of curves, so versatile navigation gear is a must.

—Advertisement

Examples of throw (someone) a curve/curveball in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Nationals’ 2025 third-round pick can throw a curveball, as well, with good feel to spin both pitches, while his change-up has been an afterthought and will have to be a focus for him in the minors. — Keith Law, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2026

The board could also throw a curveball — and hire someone from the outside. — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 31 Dec. 2025

Meanwhile, someone in your immediate environment could throw a curveball, so try not to double-book yourself this week. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 16 Oct. 2025

Messercola said deals like the ones EDF recently announced would likely not be possible in some parts of the country where behind-the-meter arrangements throw a curveball at traditional grid regulatory systems. — Dan Perry, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025

Mercury retrograde in your 10th house could throw a curveball into your career plans. — Valerie Mesa, People.com, 15 Mar. 2025

But then her kids throw a curve ball and ask to spend the holidays together at a cabin. — Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 18 Dec. 2024

Bosses, parents, teachers and the police — all authority figures — might suddenly throw a curveball at you. — Georgia Nicols, The Denver Post, 24 Nov. 2024