throw a curveball

Meaning

Originating from baseball, this expression means to surprise someone with something unexpected or difficult to deal with. In entertainment, it often refers to a sudden plot twist in a movie, TV show, or game that completely changes the direction of the story.

Examples

• The director really threw us a curveball with that mid-credits scene.

  The director really threw us a curveball with that mid-credits scene.

• Just when I thought I had the mystery figured out, the show threw a massive curveball.

  Just when I thought I had the mystery figured out, the show threw a massive curveball.

• Game developers love to throw a curveball at players right before the final boss fight.

  Game developers love to throw a curveball at players right before the final boss fight.

• I didn't expect the reality show to throw a curveball like bringing back eliminated contestants.

  I didn't expect the reality show to throw a curveball like bringing back eliminated contestants.

• Her sudden decision to quit the band threw everyone a curveball.

  Her sudden decision to quit the band threw everyone a curveball.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The plot threw a curveball to me.

  ✓ The plot threw me a curveball.

  'Throw someone a curveball' is a double-object construction. We do not usually use 'to' with this idiom.

• ✗ He threw a curved ball during the meeting.

  ✓ He threw a curveball during the meeting.

  The idiom uses the noun 'curveball' as a single word, not the adjective 'curved' with a separate word 'ball'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The season finale really ___ when they revealed the killer's true identity.

  💡 Surprised everyone with an unexpected twist.

  Show answer

  threw a curveball

• I hate when life ___ right when you think everything is under control.

  💡 Presents an unexpected challenge.

  Show answer

  throws a curveball