bowl a googly
The phrase "bowl a googly" originates from cricket and is used both literally in the sport and figuratively in everyday language to describe surprising actions.
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Definition
C2Cricket
(technical)To deliver a type of spin bowling that turns in the opposite direction to the bowler's usual spin, typically confusing the batsman.
Example
- The bowler managed to bowl a googly that completely bamboozled the batsman.
C1General
(idiomatic, informal, British English)To surprise someone with an unexpected action or statement.
Example
- She really bowled me a googly when she announced her sudden resignation.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "bowl a googly":
bowl outbowling figuresbowl upbowl overthrow someone a curvegoogly eye