out in left field

Idioms  

1. Also, out of left field. Eccentric, odd; also, mistaken. For example, The composer's use of dissonance in this symphony is way out in left field, or His answer was out of left field; he was totally wrong. This idiom refers to baseball's left field but the precise allusion is disputed. Among the theories proposed is that in some ballparks the left field wall is farther from the batter than the wall in right field. Another is that in early ballparks, left field was often larger than right field and therefore was home to more lost balls and general confusion. [Mid-1900s] Also see far out.

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Example Sentences

You can tell me if I’m out in left field, but I think about why Latinos love Japanese anime ... especially the post-apocalyptic stories we grew up with, like “Akira,” or “Neon Genesis Evangelion.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 13, 2023

With Grichuk on second and two outs, Kimbrel got Ryan McMahon to foul out in left field to secure his 18th save.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 29, 2022

Verdugo also stole an out in left field, leaning over the short wall in foul territory in the sixth inning to catch Nelson Cruz's popup.

From Fox News • Oct. 8, 2021

“We were out in left field the whole night, never really had a great feel for the truck, a great-driving truck, and just salvaged what I could,” Busch said.

From Reuters • May 27, 2020

Edward was far out in left field, Carlisle stood between the first and second bases, and Alice held the ball, positioned on the spot that must be the pitcher’s mound.

From "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer

Related Words

• bizarre
• curious
• erratic
• funny
• idiosyncratic
• kooky
• nutty
• odd
• offbeat
• outlandish
• peculiar
• quirky
• strange
• unconventional
• weird
• whimsical