Wearing a kimono with the left side over the right (i.e., the sides reversed). This style is normally used for the dead; living people should not wear a kimono left-over-right.
着物を左前に着るのは、故人に対する習慣なので、生きている人は避けるべきだ。
Wearing a kimono left-over-right is a custom for the deceased, so living people should avoid it.
留学中に着物を着たが、慌てていて左前のまま外に出てしまい、すぐに気付いて直した。
I once put on a kimono while studying abroad and, being in a hurry, went outside with it left-over-right; I noticed quickly and fixed it.
A downturn or financial distress; to be in a bad financial situation (colloquially expressed as 'to go left-front').
景気が悪化して、あの小さな店はついに左前になってしまった。
With the economy worsening, that small shop finally went under (fell into hard times).
売上が落ちて会社が左前にならないよう、経営を見直す必要がある。
We need to revise management so the company doesn't fall into hard times due to falling sales.
新しい商品が全然売れず、事業が左前になりかけている。
The new product isn't selling at all, and the business is about to go into trouble.
Directional: front-left; the front and left side of something (e.g., the front-left tire of a car).
車の左前のタイヤがパンクしてしまったので、スペアに交換した。
The front-left tire of the car got punctured, so I changed it with the spare.
舞台の左前で話す役者にスポットライトが当たった。
The actor speaking at the front-left of the stage was hit by a spotlight.