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

See Examples For:

ballpark figure

Asked how much money he’s raised, Foster intimated that a ballpark figure would become evident as players started to trickle in through the transfer portal.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 4, 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

But experts say the $45 billion included in the proposal is a realistic ballpark figure for eliminating what’s estimated to remain.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 28, 2021

His initial ballpark figure for the second half of last year was 100,000 to 200,000 units, but the company ended up only selling 1,770.

From Slate ● Mar. 30, 2018

What’s a ballpark figure for how much of the vote they’ll ultimately get?

From New York Times ● May 23, 2016