curveballing
Pitching with spin
Curveballing is throwing someone off balance with something unexpected—a surprise question, an unforeseen development, a twist that catches you unprepared.
From the baseball pitch that curves deceptively: Life keeps curveballing me.
The interviewer curveballed her with a question about her gap year.
Pouring vessel or hurler
- sliderAdjustable interface element
- fastballMaximum-speed baseball throw
- changeupDeliberately slow pitch
- knuckleballSpinless, erratic throw
strikeout · mound · catcher · bullpen · grip · seam · delivery · windup
Cause false belief
- bamboozleDeceive through cunning
- feintDeceptive mock attack
- trickeryDeliberate deception or fraud
- blindsideSurprise with unexpected force
misdirection · bluff · fakeout · smokescreen · ruse · diversion · juke · dodge
Skillful directional control
- outmaneuveringDefeating through superior tactics
- outsmartingDefeating through superior intelligence
- fakeoutDeceptive maneuver
- misdirectionIntentional focus manipulation
gambit · ploy · pivot · adaptation · anticipation · counterplay · setup · timing
Surprise with unexpected force
- joltAbrupt forceful shake
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
- startleFrighten suddenly
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
catch off guard · stun · flabbergast · dumbfound · wrongfoot · upend · destabilize · disconcert
pitcher
Pouring vessel or hurler
- sliderAdjustable interface element
- fastballMaximum-speed baseball throw
- changeupDeliberately slow pitch
knuckleball · strikeout · mound · catcher · bullpen · grip · seam · delivery · windup · rotation
mislead
Cause false belief
blindside · misdirection · bluff · fakeout · smokescreen · ruse · diversion · juke · dodge
maneuvering
Skillful directional control
- outmaneuveringDefeating through superior tactics
- outsmartingDefeating through superior intelligence
- fakeoutDeceptive maneuver
misdirection · gambit · ploy · pivot · adaptation · anticipation · counterplay · setup · timing · baiting
blindside
Surprise with unexpected force
catch off guard · ambush · stun · flabbergast · dumbfound · wrongfoot · upend · destabilize · disconcert · rattle
curveballingleveling
Making flat or equal
being honest · leveling with · telegraphing · laying cards on the table
ball, curve, curved, curvy, curves, curving, curvature, curveball, curveballs