left field
noun
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left field
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left-field
left-fieldadjectiveregarded as being outside the mainstream; unconventional
left field
Americannoun
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Baseball.
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the area of the outfield to the left of center field, as viewed from home plate.
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the position of the player covering this area.
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Slang. a position or circumstance that is remote from an ordinary or general trend.
idioms
left-field
British
adjective
left field
More Idioms
Etymology
Origin of left field
An Americanism dating back to 1855–60
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Given a three-run lead in the first inning, brought to the Dodgers by a wild pitch and Kyle Tucker’s two-run, line-drive single to left field, Sasaki seemed set up for success.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 9, 2026
The clear winner, out of left field, was Brazilian jiu-jitsu: a relatively new art accepted so rapidly that we already knew the basics from our Army combatives course.
From Slate • Jun. 14, 2026
In the seventh, he pumped a heater to the top rail against Miguel Vargas, who stayed on top of the pitch to send a line drive to left field — and right to Call.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 13, 2026
Pinch-hitter Geraldo Perdomo shot a line-drive single off Klein into shallow left field, loading the bases.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 2026
“Well, when you see me come out of the left field lights, run for the right field fence,” he said, and winked.
From "Dead End in Norvelt" by Jack Gantos
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
