My professor pitched me a curve ball when he unexpectedly confronted me with a complicated mathematical equation that was way over my head.
Словарь американских идиом. — СПб., Изд-во "Лань". Оригинал: A.Маккей, М.Т.Боткер, Дж.И.Гейтс. 1997.
curve ball — curve ,ball noun count in baseball, a throw that is difficult to hit because the ball moves in a curve … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
curve ball — (USA) If something is a curve ball, it is deceptive … The small dictionary of idiomes
curve ball — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms curve ball : singular curve ball plural curve balls in baseball, a throw that is difficult to hit because the ball moves in a curve … English dictionary
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… …
curve ball — (USA) If something is a curve ball, it is deceptive. (Dorking School Dictionary) … English Idioms & idiomatic expressions
Curve ball — (USA) If something is a curve ball, it is deceptive … Dictionary of English idioms
curve ball — ball which crosses the plate on the opposite side than the side it was pitched from (Baseball); something that is unexpected or something that comes in an unexpected way; hard ball, something which is extremely tricky (Slang) … English contemporary dictionary
curve ball — noun a pitch of a baseball that is thrown with spin so that its path curves as it approaches the batter • Syn: ↑curve, ↑breaking ball, ↑bender • Derivationally related forms: ↑bend (for: ↑bender) … Useful english dictionary
curve·ball — /ˈkɚvˌbɑːl/ noun, pl balls [count] baseball : a pitch that is thrown with spin so that the ball curves in the air The batter struck out on a curveball. often used figuratively Life has thrown him a few curveballs in recent years. [=he has had… … 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
