The idiom "queer the pitch" means to spoil or ruin someone's plans or efforts, especially by interfering or causing confusion.
The origin of this phrase comes from cricket, where the pitch is the playing area. If someone "queers the pitch," they make it difficult for the batsman to play a good shot by damaging the surface of the pitch.
In everyday language, we use this phrase when someone intentionally or unintentionally disrupts a situation or plan. For example, if a group of friends are planning a surprise party for someone, and one of them accidentally tells the person about it, they have "queered the pitch" by ruining the surprise.
Another example could be if a student is trying to cheat on an exam, but the teacher catches them and stops them from doing so. The teacher has "queered the pitch" for the student's plan to cheat.
Overall, "queer the pitch" is a slang phrase that means to spoil someone's plans or efforts, and it is often used in informal situations.
• I don't want to queer the pitch, but I have to tell you that your favorite restaurant is closed on Sundays.
• The political scandal has queer the pitch for the candidate's chances of winning the election.
• The interviewee's rude behavior during the interview really queer the pitch for her chances of getting the job.
• I accidentally knocked over the board game, and now the pieces are everywhere. I really queer the pitch.
• The company's new policy about remote work is going to queer the pitch for many employees who rely on public transportation to get to the office.
• The CEO's sudden resignation has queer the pitch for the company's plans to expand globally.