left field

Related to left field: out of left field, come out of left field

left field

The metaphorical origin of something uncommon, unpopular, or otherwise strange. Often used in the phrase "out of left field." Well, that suggestion is certainly out of left field! How did you come up with that one? Sure, my aunt is really wacky and out in left field, but I love her!
See also: field, left
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

left-field

mainly BRITISH, JOURNALISM
People use left-field to describe something, especially a form of entertainment, that is unusual and unexpected. Over the last few years, the most left-field films in world cinema have come from Japan. This was a very left-field, European-style festival. Compare with come out of left field. Note: In baseball, left field is the part of the outfield where the sun and the wind can cause problems with the ball. In addition, the spectators often shout at the fielder in left field, and so players consider it to be a difficult position to play.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • left-field
  • be (out) in left field
  • be in left field
  • out in left field
  • out of left field
  • so to speak
  • if you will
  • gottle of geer
  • soak face
  • soak one’s face
References in periodicals archive
Cosgrove then hit a fly ball to left field that dropped to the turf between the defense, scoring Smart and making it 10-9.
On the Left Field, Bragg changed the lyrics to Bob Dylan's The Times They Are A-Changing: "It's obvious the climate is changing/But the fool in the White House says no one's to blame"
WHERE TO FIND IT: Behind the Crawford Boxes in left field.
Out of Left Field represents a major scholarly achievement.
Bounce home runs were rare-less than one per season because (1) the stands were not close to the foul lines (except in deep left field), and (2) the outfield fences were a minimum of eight feet in height.
The Left Field in Motion Tour will take that concept on the road.
Out of Left Field is valuable for outlining the dynamics that led the Brooklyn Dodgers to break the color line by hiring Jackie Robinson, first for their Montreal farm team and then unveiling him as a Dodger in 1947.
As evidenced by the kerfuffle over the proposed Toyota sign in the left field bleachers, Mr.
"We are dead chuffed that South By South West, one of the biggest of the global music festivals, have given us the nod to bring our blend of great music and social justice campaigning across the ocean," the Daily Express quoted Geoff Martin, from Jail Guitar Doors and the Left Field, as saying.
Left Field has carved out a reputation over the past seven years for welding together political campaigns with music and other campaigns have included anti-slavery, the fight against racism, migrant workers' rights, international solidarity and prisoner rehabilitation.
The bands - Elle S'Appelle, Married to the Sea, The Daisy Riots, The Rascals and the tongue-twisting The Seal Cub Clubbing Club - will all be part of the Left Field at Glastonbury.
It was hardest, according to Travs vice president Bill Valentine, to hit one out from left field to center.
The union organisers who run the Left Field area of the Glastonbury Festival are to stage an event in Liverpool as part of the City of Culture celebrations.
Winners will form a group to play on the festival's Left Field stage, but won't meet each other until the Thursday before the weekend festival.
On Opening Day, April 23, 1914, for the Chi-Feds, (as they were called in the press), the park consisted of (1) a single-deck covered steel-and-concrete grandstand that ran from beyond first base to beyond third base, (2) two pavilions (actually uncovered seating at this point in time) down the left field and right field lines, and, (3) the only seating in fair territory, a section of wooden bleachers in the right center-center field area.