ballpark figure

Idioms and Phrases

An acceptable, roughly accurate approximation, as in I know you can't tell me the exact cost; just give me a ballpark figure . This term alludes to a baseball field, which is always an enclosed space. The expression is basically an extension of the somewhat earlier in the ballpark , meaning within a reasonable range, and out of the ballpark , beyond a reasonable range. [ Slang ; late 1960s]

Example Sentences

An accountant exasperatingly asks for a ballpark figure, and Escola’s Bernadette, wiggling like a charmed snake with their hands on their hips, asks, “Is this a ballpark figure?”

From New York Times

In an email exchange as a ballpark figure was becoming clear, he and some lawyers for the Trump company strategized about how to present it to their client.

From Seattle Times

Price suggested a ballpark figure of 25 songs would be performed, with elements of 20 more appearing in some form.

From BBC

The police complaint filed by the entrepreneurs accuses the organisers of perpetrating a $12m scam - the group arrived at this ballpark figure based on the number of people and start-ups they saw at the event.

From BBC

The reductions will amount to a “ballpark” figure of 3,900, Chief Financial Officer James Kavanaugh said Wednesday.

From Seattle Times