Idiom
out of left field
Meanings
unexpected or surprising, often seeming unrelated to what is happening
Definition
Used to describe something surprising or unexpected, especially because it seems unrelated to what was happening.
If something comes "out of left field," it surprises people because no one was expecting it. It often feels unrelated to the current situation or conversation. The phrase is common in American English and originally comes from baseball.
Examples
- Her resignation came out of left field.
- The interviewer asked a question out of left field.
- That accusation was totally out of left field.
- His offer to move abroad came out of left field.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes use it for something merely new or creative, but it should mean truly unexpected or seemingly unrelated.
More at B2 level
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share updates, confirm plans, or check progress.
- ballpark figure A ballpark figure is an approximate number or estimate, not an exact one.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to mock someone or tease them in an unkind or cheeky way.
- cheap as chips Very cheap; costing very little money.
More idiom (adverbial phrase)s
- come hell or high water Used to emphasize that you will do something no matter what difficulties happen.
- in a nutshell “In a nutshell” means in a very brief and clear summary.
- by the book If you do something by the book, you follow the official rules exactly.
- once in a blue moon Very rarely; almost never.
- down the line At a later time in the future, often after some delay or further development.