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.

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