ballpark figure

Idioms  

1. 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]

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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 • Feb. 27, 2024

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

From BBC • Oct. 11, 2023

“The ballpark figure we’re looking at is getting to the consumption of about 80 gallons per person per day,” said Adel Hagekhalil, the district’s general manager.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2022

Nationally, a ballpark figure for annual repair of graffiti damage is $15 billion to $18 billion.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 11, 2021

It’s generally thought to be only a small minority of boys and young men: maybe around 5 percent, which is a very rough ballpark figure because data on this are hard to get.

From Slate • Dec. 11, 2017