left field

Definitions

1. 1

   The part of a baseball field which is beyond the infield and to the left of a person…

   The part of a baseball field which is beyond the infield and to the left of a person standing on home plate and facing the pitcher.

   • The double, by pinch-hitter Ruben Sierra, curved sharply toward foul ground in deep left field but then changed its mind and hit the line instead—a big hit, and a smile at last from the great and enigmatically difficult game.
2. 2

   The defensive position in the outfield to the left.

3. 3

   An unexpected, bizarre, or unwatched source (especially in the phrases out of left field…

   An unexpected, bizarre, or unwatched source (especially in the phrases out of left field and from left field).

   • Some of her comments really came from left field. I have no idea what she was thinking.
   • There is no serendipity without a flash of insight from left field, an oblique eureka effect.
   • There was no shortage of dropped jaws when news came through about the appointment of the recently ennobled Lord Peter Hendy as rail minister. This was certainly a left-field move, taking everyone (perhaps even himself) by surprise.
4. ›+ 1 more definitionshow fewer

   1. 4

      An unusual or unexpected position, or a viewpoint held by very few others in contrast to…

      An unusual or unexpected position, or a viewpoint held by very few others in contrast to the majority viewpoint (especially in the phrases out in left field and way out in left field)

      • Tonne is way out in left field if he thinks a voice writing machine will never be built or that there are no existing prototypes or work being done in this […]
      • Maybe I am way out in left field with this statement, but I don’t think enough people appreciate their mailmen (ladies).

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