field (redirected from led the field)

come out of left field

[for a problem or dilemma] to come from an unexpected place. (See also out of left field.) This new problem came out of left field. We were really surprised. Your remarks came out of left field. I can't understand your complaint.

See also: come, left, out

field questions and field a question

to answer a series of questions, especially from reporters. After her speech, Jane fielded questions from reporters. The president's press agents field questions from the newspaper.

See also: question

have a field day

Fig. to experience freedom from one's usual work schedule; to have a very enjoyable time. (As with children who are released from classes to take part in sports and athletic contests.) The boss was gone and we had afield day today. No one got anything done. The air was fresh and clear and everyone had a field day in the park during the lunch hour.

See also: day, have

level playing field

Fig. a situation that is fair to all; a situation where everyone has the same opportunity. If we started off with a level playing field, everyone would have an equal chance.

See also: level, play

level the (playing) field

Fig. to create a state where everyone has the same opportunity. (See also a level playing field.) Let's level the playing field and give everyone a chance.

See also: level

order someone off the field

[for a game official] to command a player to leave the playing area. The referee will order you off the field. He ordered us off the field.

See also: order

out in left field

Fig. offbeat; unusual and eccentric. (See also out of left field.) Sally is a lot of fun, but she's sort of out in left field. What a strange idea. It's really out in left field.

See also: left, out

out of left field

suddenly; from an unexpected source or direction. (See also out in left field.) Most of your ideas are out of left field. All of his paintings are right out of left field.

See also: left, out

play the field

to date many different people rather than just one. When Tom told Ann good-bye, he said he wanted to play the field. He said he wanted to play the field while he was still young.

See also: play

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a level playing field

a fair situation There are calls for less restrictive laws in order to allow them to compete on a level playing field (= in a way that is fair) with other financial institutions.

See also: level, play

be out in left field 

1. (American informal) to be completely wrong They're out in left field, blaming you for this fiasco.

2. (American informal) to be very strange or very different from other people or things She's kind of out in left field but she's fun.

See also: left, out

have a field day

to have an opportunity to do a lot of something you want to do, especially to criticize someone The newspapers would have a field day if their affair ever became public knowledge.

See lead the field, leave the field clear for, play the field

See also: day, have

lead the field 

1. if you lead the field in a race or a sports event, you are better than all the people competing against you and are likely to win At the end of the second day's play, Ballasteros is leading the field.

2. if you lead the field in an activity or business, you are more successful than anyone else There are some areas of medical research where Russian scientists still lead the field.

See also: lead

leave the field clear for somebody

to stop competing with someone, which gives them a better chance of achieving success John decided not to apply for the job, which left the field clear for Emma.

See also: clear, leave

play the field

to have many romantic or sexual relationships She's not interested in marriage at this stage, so she's quite happy to play the field.

See also: play

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(way) out in left field

not effective, useful, or likely Some of these ideas are from out in left field, and I can't imagine where my students get them from.

See also: left, out

have a field day

to be able to do something you enjoy a great deal, esp. criticizing someone The newspapers would have a field day if his drinking was ever widely known.

See also: day, have

level the playing field

to give everyone the same advantages or opportunities It was an effort to level the playing field and achieve greater equality between the sexes. Government funding can level the playing field for political candidates without money.

Related vocabulary: have a fighting chance

Etymology: based on a comparison with a sports competition played on a field that is not level, putting one side at a disadvantage

See also: level, play

out of left field

not expected or prepared for A fierce storm came out of left field and surprised everyone.

See also: left, out

play the field

to have many romantic or sexual relationships After leaving that guy she lived with for five years she's now ready to play the field.

See also: play