ENGLISH
REFERENCE

bowl a googly

idiom
Meaning

to surprise (someone); to introduce (to someone) something unexpected, underhand or requiring a quick reaction or correction.


Origin

disputed origin

From the cricket term.

Examples
SIMPLE

My boss bowled me a googly by asking for the report today.

CONTEXTUAL

I thought the interview was going well until the manager bowled me a googly with a very difficult question.

COMPLEX

Just as the negotiations seemed settled, the opposing lawyer bowled a googly by introducing an entirely new set of demands.

Anchors to
Related idioms6entries
  1. 01

    bowl of cherries

    An enjoyable experience.

  2. 02

    bowl over

    To overwhelm; to cause to fall to the ground.

  3. 03

    bowl up

    To pack the bowl of a pipe with smokable material.

  4. 04

    slop bowl

    One of the four components of the traditional tea set. Tea drinkers emptied their unwanted, cold tea into the slop bowl before refilling their cups with fresh, hot tea.

  5. 05

    spoon bowl

    A match between the last placed and second last placed team in an Australian sports league, derived from the fact that the team that finishes last is informally awarded the "wooden spoon"

  6. 06

    take the Browns to the Super Bowl

    To defecate.

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