pencil out
Draft preliminary numbers
Pencil out means to calculate whether something makes financial sense—to work the numbers and see if they add up favorably.
The image is of sketching figures on paper: The deal doesn't pencil out at that price.
Common in real estate and business contexts, where a project that pencils out is worth pursuing.
Nearly accurate but inexact
- ballparkSports venue or estimate
- forecastPrediction of future conditions
- projectionSomething that extends outward
- rough calculationInexact numerical assessment
guesstimate · budget · feasibility · back-of-envelope · preliminary · tentative · speculation · assessment
approximate
Nearly accurate but inexact
- ballparkSports venue or estimate
- forecastPrediction of future conditions
- projectionSomething that extends outward
rough calculation · guesstimate · budget · feasibility · back-of-envelope · preliminary · tentative · speculation · assessment · appraisal
draft
Preliminary version of text
blueprint · layout · work up · chart · diagram · plot · scheme · framework · timetable · roadmap