Meaning of left field | Babel Free

Definitions

1. 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.
   countable, uncountable
2. The defensive position in the outfield to the left.
   countable, uncountable
3. An unexpected, bizarre, or unwatched source (especially in the phrases out of left field and from left field).
   countable, figuratively, uncountable
4. 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)
   countable, figuratively, uncountable

Examples

“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.”

“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.”

“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).”

CEFR level