What does "throw you a curve" mean?

[Throwy]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #620 "English Slang Idioms (362)", question 4

"I'll pay for your car repairs this time, but you always have to be prepared for life to throw you a .......... You never know when you'll be faced with an unexpected bill," Hank told his son.

(a) dice
(b) line
(c) dip
(d) curve

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #620 "English Slang Idioms (362)", answer 4

"I'll pay for your car repairs this time, but you always have to be prepared for life to throw you a curve. You never know when you'll be faced with an unexpected bill," Hank told his son.

Correct answer: (d) curve
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what does "throw you a curve" mean?

[Linda]

Hello,
This sentence should read "a curve ball." This is something that is unexpected and is a baseball term that refers to a pitcher who throws a curve ball (something different; unlike previous pitches).
We'll fix this typo ASAP.
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[Mister Micawber]

Not a typo, in my estimation. The idiom is often shortened from 'throw one a curve ball' to 'throw one a curve'.

From an online dictionary:

throw a curve; throw someone a curve

1. Lit. to pitch a curveball to someone in baseball. (See pitch someone a curve(ball).) The pitcher threw John a curve, and John swung wildly against thin air. During that game, the pitcher threw everyone a curve at least once.
2. Fig. to confuse someone by doing something tricky or unexpected. 'When you said "house" you threw me a curve. The password was supposed to be "home." ' 'John threw me a curve when we were making our presentation, and I forgot my speech.'

Google will call up plenty of examples, Linda.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Linda]

Hi,
Yes, Mister Micawber is right but I think 'curve ball' is used more.
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