from left field

from left field

From a surprising or strange place. ("Left field" is the metaphorical origin of something uncommon, unpopular, or otherwise strange.) That suggestion certainly came from left field! How did you come up with that one?
See also: field, left
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

from (or out of) left field

from a position or direction that is unexpected or unconventional. informal, chiefly North American
The expression originated in the language of baseball: left field is the part of the outfield to the left of a right-handed batter as he faces the pitcher, which does not often come into play.
2000 The Register Nokia…knows that killer apps have always come out of left field—obvious once someone has done them, but prior to that not predictable.
See also: field, left
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • come from left field
  • come out of left field
  • field
  • be (out) in left field
  • reverse (one's) field
  • reverse field
  • Puppy Bowl
  • field a question
  • take the field
  • God's acre
References in periodicals archive
WHERE TO FIND IT: Main concourse from left field to right field.
Fans' Guide to Ballpark Museums & Team History
Pennell's three-run homer in the third inning ignited Worcester's offense and his arm from left field gunned down the tying run at the plate to end the seventh.
Pennell saves day for the Tornadoes
It was hardest, according to Travs vice president Bill Valentine, to hit one out from left field to center.
Travs plan more running
Gratuitous references to the seventeenth-century wunderkammer, or cabinet of curiosities, are a recent curatorial and art-historical touchstone, so Bob Nickas and Steve Lafreniere's decision to build an exhibition around the idea hardly came from left field, and promised, well, nothing in particular.
"Curious Crystals of Unusual Purity": P.S. 1 Contemporary Art Center
MacMillan, besides his big night with the bat, also threw out a runner at the plate with a perfect strike from left field in the first inning, and stole a base.
Two-out, 9th-inning homer spells doom for 'Nadoes; Worcester strands potential tying run on 3rd base
He moved to first base (from left field) last year, and he's already one of the best guys in the league there.
Albert Pujols: player of the year: Cardinals slugger continues to raise the bar of greatness as the game's most complete hitter