[Idiom] getting hit with a massive curveball while you're still at your locker.

[sitifan]

The first day of school is bad enough without getting hit with a massive curveball while you're still at your locker.
https://books.google.com.tw/books?i...ll while you’re still at your locker"&f=false

What does the phrase "getting hit with a massive curveball while you're still at your locker" mean?

 

[emsr2d2]

Do you understand the metaphorical meaning of "curveball" (rather than the sporting definition)?

 

[sitifan]

Do you understand the metaphorical meaning of "curveball" (rather than the sporting definition)?

something such as a question or event that is surprising or unexpected, and therefore difficult to deal with
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english-chinese-traditional/curveball

 

[emsr2d2]

OK, so apply that to the sentence. Do you understand the metaphorical meaning of "to be hit with" (not the physical sort)?

 

[sitifan]

OK, so apply that to the sentence. Do you understand the metaphorical meaning of "to be hit with" (not the physical sort)?

hit: to have an unpleasant or negative effect on a person or thing
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english-chinese-traditional/hit
Does "locker" have a metaphorical meaning, too?

 

[jutfrank]

No.

 

[Skrej]

Does "locker" have a metaphorical meaning, too?

No metaphorical meaning, but it is an important element of the overall extended metaphor. Consider also the locations involved in this metaphor. Where would one normally expect the possibility of a literal (sporting definition) curveball ?

 

[sitifan]

No metaphorical meaning, but it is an important element of the overall extended metaphor. Consider also the locations involved in this metaphor. Where would one normally except the possibility of a literal (sporting definition) curveball ?

Is it a typo?

 

[jutfrank]

It's some kind of error, yes. Perhaps it's a typo for expect.

I don't understand what Skrej meant to say, or what he was getting at.

On a baseball field?

 

[Skrej]

Ooops, not sure if it was a typo or an auto-correct fail, but I did mean to say 'expect'....

 

[Skrej]

Getting thrown a curve ball while at bat is within the normal realm of possibilities. A competent batter would know that there's always the possibility of one and be ready to adjust accordingly. It would still be difficult to hit, but at least you're aware it might be coming. However, you would not expect to have anything thrown at you if you're not at bat.

You especially aren't expecting any kind of pitch to be thrown at you when you're standing in front of your locker, still getting prepared for the game.

Actually, now that I've read the context, he may be referring to a figurative locker from the baseball metaphor, although they could literally be standing in front of their hall lockers as well.

 

[jutfrank]

Actually, now that I've read the context, he may be referring to a figurative locker from the baseball metaphor, although they could literally be standing in front of their hall lockers as well.

Ah, I see now that you were thinking of a 'locker room', which is the US way to refer to what I'd call a 'changing room'. And now I get what you mean about an extended metaphor.

I really assumed that they were merely standing at their literal lockers in the school hall, but even if that is so, I think your idea of there being a sense of a metaphorical locker is more than possible. Since it's the first day of school, it rather feels like a big deal, and like a baseball match, you have to go out and perform to a crowd.

 

[GoesStation]

… a baseball [STRIKE]match[/STRIKE] game ….

On a baseball [STRIKE]field[/STRIKE] diamond?

 

[Skrej]

Dollars to donuts, it's a Monday to boot. :lol:

 

[Tarheel]

It would have to be metaphorical. I wouldn't expect anybody to be throwing anything at me while I'm standing at my locker. To me it just means the person was "hit" with something he wasn't prepared for.

 

[sitifan]

Dollars to donuts, it's a Monday to boot. :lol:

What does the quoted sentence mean?

 

[Skrej]

See here for dollars to donuts (or doughnuts).

See here for 'to boot'.

 

[Yankee]

The first day of school is bad enough without getting hit with a massive curveball while you're still at your locker.
https://books.google.com.tw/books?i...ll while you’re still at your locker"&f=false

What does the phrase "getting hit with a massive curveball while you're still at your locker" mean?

U.S. perspective/interpretation: Most secondary schools have lockers/storage cabinets for students attending the school. Based on the narrative, the student was preparing, at his locker, to enter class on the first day back to school and very surprised to learn that Mr. Maroni, a favored teacher, would not be teaching as expected, because of a move to Cincinnati. The surprise is expressed as a "curveball", a baseball pitch that can be unexpected and confusing to the batter.