left field

noun

1. Baseball.

   1. the area of the outfield to the left of center field, as viewed from home plate.

   2. the position of the player covering this area.

2. Slang.,  a position or circumstance that is remote from an ordinary or general trend.

left-field

adjective

1. informal,  regarded as being outside the mainstream; unconventional

Word History and Origins

Origin of left field¹

An Americanism dating back to 1855–60

Word History and Origins

Origin of left field¹

C20: from baseball term left field, the area of the outfield to the batter's left, regarded as the scene of little action

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. out in left field, completely mistaken; wrong.

see out in left field.

Example Sentences

Even though the entire dream seems like it came out of left field … the woman’s disappearance makes me think about Grandma.

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And after watching Michael Conforto struggle in left field last year, finding a more established upgrade would certainly help the Dodgers’ three-peat quest.

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But if he were to slide to center field for Game 3, it could open left field for someone like Alex Call.

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Max Muncy stared into left field, then turned to quiet the stands with a finger on his lips.

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You all ripped the Dodgers for standing fairly pat at the trade deadline, despite glaring holes in left field and in the bullpen.

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Related Words

• disproportionate 
• improper 
• incorrect 
• irrelevant 
• tasteless 
• unseemly 
• unsuitable 
• wrong