noun
junk ball; off-speed pitch
Baseball term for a pitch with unpredictable movement or change of pace, often used to deceive the batter.
彼は癖球をうまく使って打者を打ち取った。
He got the batter out by skillfully using a junk ball.
noun
unexpected move; unorthodox measure
Figurative extension from baseball: a tricky or unconventional action that catches someone off guard.
交渉で癖球を投げて相手を混乱させた。
He threw an unexpected move in the negotiation and confused the other party.
noun
statement with an ulterior motive; loaded remark
Only when written 曲球
Used when someone says something that seems innocent but has a hidden agenda. Restricted to the 曲球 spelling.
彼の提案は曲球で、裏に何かある気がする。
His proposal feels like a loaded remark; I sense there's something behind it.
Compound of 癖 (くせ, 'habit; peculiarity') and 球 (たま, 'ball'). Originally a baseball term for a pitch with an awkward or deceptive quality, later extended figuratively to tricky moves and loaded remarks.