curve ball

• Situação, pergunta ou acontecimento inesperado, surpreendente ou difícil de lidar; o termo vem do beisebol, onde a bola lançada com efeito segue uma trajetória imprevisível.

An unexpected, surprising, or difficult situation or question that is challenging to deal with, originally derived from baseball where a curveball is a pitch that moves unpredictably.

1. Baseball pitchB2formalamerican

   A type of pitch in baseball that curves as it approaches the batter, making it difficult to hit.

   Bola curva

   • The pitcher threw a curve ball that fooled the batter.
   • He practiced throwing curve balls for hours.
   • The curve ball is one of the most challenging pitches to master.

2. Unexpected challengeB2informalamerican

   An unexpected, surprising, or difficult situation or problem that requires quick adaptation.

   Dificuldade inesperada

   • The sudden budget cut was a real curve ball for the project.
   • Life threw him a curve ball when he lost his job.
   • The last-minute change in plans was a curve ball we didn't anticipate.