Curveball: meaning, definitions and examples
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curveball
[ ˈkɜːrvbɔːl ]
baseball
A pitch that is thrown with a strong downward spin causing it to swerve downward and to the side.
Synonyms
breaking ball, hook
Examples of usage
- The pitcher threw a curveball that left the batter swinging at air.
- She couldn't hit the curveball because it broke sharply down and away from her.
informal
A surprising or unexpected event or situation.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The sudden resignation of the CEO was a real curveball for the company.
- His offer to pay for everything was a total curveball.
Translations
Translations of the word "curveball" in other languages:
🇵🇹 bola curva
🇮🇳 कर्वबॉल
🇩🇪 Kurvenball
🇮🇩 bola lengkung
🇺🇦 крива куля
🇵🇱 krzywa piłka
🇯🇵 カーブボール
🇫🇷 balle courbe
🇪🇸 bola curva
🇹🇷 eğri top
🇰🇷 커브볼
🇸🇦 كرة منحنية
🇨🇿 zakřivený míč
🇸🇰 krivá lopta
🇨🇳 弯球
🇸🇮 krivina žoga
🇮🇸 bogabolti
🇰🇿 иілген доп
🇬🇪 მრუდე ბურთი
🇦🇿 əyri top
🇲🇽 bola curva
Word origin
The term 'curveball' originated in baseball, where it refers to a pitch thrown with a spinning motion that causes it to curve. Over time, the term has been adopted in informal and figurative contexts to describe surprising or deceptive events. The concept of a 'curveball' has become synonymous with unexpected twists and turns in various aspects of life.
See also: curvaceous, curved, curving, curvingly.