left field

American  

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.

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idioms

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

left-field British  

adjective

1. informal regarded as being outside the mainstream; unconventional

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left field More Idioms  

1. see out in left field.

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Etymology

Origin of left field

An Americanism dating back to 1855–60

Example Sentences

In the top of the sixth, he broke a 3-3 tie by sending a hanging slider from closer Jack Champlin over the fence in left field for a two-run home run.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

Hernández primarily played left field in his first season with the Dodgers, before taking over right-field duties in 2025.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 18, 2026

But Chalamet's final pick of someone who demonstrated British greatness comes totally out of left field.

From BBC • Dec. 16, 2025

In the last five years alone, a pandemic, an inflation spike and a trade war all appeared out of left field to confound expectations.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 9, 2025

Brayden races over from left field and pats me on the back with his glove.

From "A High Five for Glenn Burke" by Phil Bildner

Related Words

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