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

“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

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

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

According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies, it would cost a ballpark figure of about £10bn per year.

From BBC • May 11, 2017

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

From New York Times • May 23, 2016