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

More than 100 people have died across the mountains this season so far, according to the European Avalanche Warning Services – a ballpark figure not seen for eight years.

From BBC ● Mar. 14, 2026

“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

The ballpark figure for building a 300-bed hospital in Japan in $55 million.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 6, 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

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

From New York Times ● May 23, 2016