what curve is this?

[albatross521]

As in dialogue:

I am sure you are the best in our school"

oh, no, I am behind the curve"

what curve is this?

Anybody shed some light?

[Quizmonster]

'Curve' here, I imagine, means a line on a graph. In this case, the graph is an imaginary one illustrating some particular skill - eg batting average in cricket,
To be 'behind the curve' suggests that the speaker is not best but is further down the line, as it were. We see the same idea in the phrase 'learning curve'. Someone who takes on a new and difficult job is said to be 'on a steep learning curve'...ie he has to learn a great deal and very quickly.

[albatross521]

thanks Quizmonster.
Anyone other comment?

[Quizmonster]

Click here for a site that seems to confirm my answer, Albatross.

[albatross521]

thanks. Seems it refers to Gaussian distribution.

[Clanad]

Although having, generally the same meaning, 'behind the curve', at least in aviation, describes a condition in which one has to lower. the nose of the aircraft to climb. The cause is flying at such a low airspeed with a lot of drag, usually produced by the addition of too much flap and with the landing gear down, that the engine(s) is incapable of producing sufficient power to make the aircraft climb. The nose is lowered, the grag is reduced or eliminated and the aircraft will then gain speed and climb. This condition is termed being behind the power curve. This can, as Q rightly observes, be plotted on a linear x, y axis graph...