ballpark figure

ballpark figure

An approximate number; an estimate. Do you have a ballpark figure for the cost of the renovations? That's just a ballpark figure—they don't know exactly how many people will be attending the event.
See also: ballpark, figure
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

ballpark figure

Fig. an estimate; an off-the-cuff guess. I don't need an exact number. A ballpark figure will do.
See also: ballpark, figure
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

ballpark figure

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]
See also: ballpark, figure
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

a ballpark figure

or

a ballpark estimate

A ballpark figure or a ballpark estimate is an approximate figure or quantity. Note: A ballpark is a park or stadium where baseball is played. But what are we talking about here — a few thousand, millions, two bucks? Give me a ballpark figure. I think just in a ballpark estimate — about 60-40. Sixty would support, 40 percent would be opposed.
See also: ballpark, figure
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

a ˈballpark figure

a number which is approximately correct: I know we haven’t really discussed costs yet, but can you give me a ballpark figure?
See also: ballpark, figure
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

ballpark figure, a

A roughly accurate estimate, an educated guess. Coming from baseball, this expression rests in turn on in the ballpark, meaning within certain limits. Although both are generally applied to numerical estimates, neither appears to have anything to do with baseball scores.
See also: ballpark
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • a ballpark figure
  • ballpark figure, a
  • ballpark
  • ballpark estimate
  • estimate
  • figure
  • figure out
  • figure into
  • figure into (something)
  • cut a fine, poor, sorry, etc. figure
References in periodicals archive
He added: "I think that the House is entitled to - and the country is entitled to - at least the ballpark figure for what is required for the banks out of this EUR85billion.
BANKS FACE MELTDOWN; ECONOMY CRISIS MARKETS DUMP STOCK
Tony Church, group assistant secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union, said: "We are working on a ballpark figure of 15pc to 20pc at the moment.
2,500 Jobs in North at risk in Shake-up
He estimated that his earnings could bring in around a ballpark figure of 100,000 to 120,000 Taiwan dollars (US$3,200 to US$3,900).
Farmer sells dragon fruit to donate earnings to Japan flood victims
Could the Taoiseach not have picked up the phone yesterday and rang the Financial Regulator and asked him for a ballpark figure on the cost of Anglo as it was to be announced just hours later anyway?
Once again we pay for Fianna Flops; IRISH DAILY Mirror COMMENT
The flying veil is even cheaper, however, when bought online, costing around the ballpark figure of 400 yuan ($60 or about P3,300).
China's latest wedding craze is a flying veil
However, the minister refused to give any ballpark figure on the likely bill, insisting it would be irresponsible to do so while talks with union members were ongoing.
NOT ENOUGH CASH FOR CIVIL SERVICE BACKPAY; Wilson admits bill will be more than pounds 100m
His agent Russ James said: "It looks like a broken collarbone and the ballpark figure is for between three and four weeks off if it's a clean break."
Psycho '50-50' to make County line-up; CHELTENHAM 2008 FOUR DAYS TO GO FESTIVAL UPDATE
And though he declined to say how much his couture wedding dresses cost, one can give the ballpark figure upon seeing his client list.
Michael Cinco makes wedding dress for Swarovski scion-'They brought three suitcases full of crystals'
Dr Keith Black of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, LA, said: "As a general rule, at 76, without the ability to do a surgical resection, as kind of a ballpark figure you're probably looking at a survival of less than a year."
TED: A YEAR TO LIVE; Grim news for Kennedy as he is out of hospital
It's hard to tell how much we lost but our ballpark figure for the industry is about pounds 3m.
It's a pounds 3m Boxing Day bonanza for punters
"This is just a ballpark figure. They can impose taxes and fees and charges on their own.
Line-item budgeting for Bangsamoro govt urged
They estimated that with increased sponsorship, TV revenue, gate receipts and player value, the ballpark figure was just short of pounds 70million.
Football: Reds chase pounds 67m Euro pay-packet
Caber could not provide a ballpark figure on the wounded rebels who retreated after the firefight.
AFP, PNP troops clash with NPA rebels in Davao
"The chairman has given me a ballpark figure. I'm comfortable with what he has told me," he added.
FOOTBALL SPY: Woody & Mark heading for exit
Caber, however, could not give the ballpark figure on the number of the tampered rifles, though he was sure that it was more than half of the recovered firearms.
'Majority' of recovered AK-47s tampered, says Army