ball park figure
Approximate numerical estimate
A ball park figure is a rough estimate, close enough for planning but not precise: Give me a ball park figure on what the renovations will cost.
The expression comes from baseball—a ball park is large enough that being "in the ball park" means approximately right, not exact.
Also spelled ballpark figure.
- guessEstimate without certainty
- rough ideaImprecise initial concept
- estimateInformed guess at quantity
- educated guessReasoned speculation from facts
- approximationNear but inexact value
order of magnitude · give or take · spitballing · back-of-envelope · quick and dirty · seat of pants · rough · prediction · quick · rule of thumb · margin of error · projection · calculation · number · budgeting · close enough · close enough for government work · rounding