in round numbers

Idioms and Phrases

Also, in round figures . As an approximate estimate. For example, How much will the new highway cost, in round numbers? or In round figures a diamond of this quality is worth five thousand dollars, but it depends on the market at the time of selling . This idiom, which uses round in the sense of “whole” or “rounded off,” is sometimes used very loosely, as Thomas Hardy did in Far from the Madding Crowd (1874): “Well, ma'am, in round numbers, she's run away with the soldiers.” [Mid-1600s] Also see ballpark figure .