loose estimate
Ballpark figure given
A loose estimate is an approximate calculation made without precise data or careful analysis—a rough figure rather than an exact one.
The phrase emphasizes that the number shouldn't be taken too literally: It's a loose estimate, but I'd say the project will cost around fifty thousand.
Compare with ballpark figure.
- ballparkSports venue or estimate
- ballpark figureRough numerical estimate
- roughUneven in surface
- approximationNear but inexact value
- guessEstimate without certainty
educated guess · guesstimate · order of magnitude · back-of-envelope · spitball · eyeball · hunch · shot in the dark · fuzzy · imprecise · vague · rough idea · napkin · sketch · tentative · in the neighborhood · give or take · fudge
- estimatesballpark, ballpark figure, guesstimate, approximation, rough calculation
- approximationsabout, approximately, around, roughly, almost