How do you use "Ballpark figure" in a sentence?

Give me a ballpark figure for the cost. Ballpark, we're looking at around £10,000. Is that even in the ballpark?

Ballpark figure

Q: What does "Ballpark figure" mean?

A rough estimate or approximate number. From baseball—something within the general range, like a ball hit somewhere in the park. Not exact, but in the right area.

Slang Term AmericanBritish ★★★★☆ Common Neutral

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Meaning: A rough estimate or approximate number.

大概的估计、大致的数字

Una estimación aproximada o número aproximado.

おおよその見積もり、概算

대략적인 견적, 어림수

From baseball—something within the general range, like a ball hit somewhere in the park. Not exact, but in the right area.

源自棒球——指大致在某个范围内，就像球落在球场某处。不是精确数字，但大致正确。

Del béisbol—algo dentro del rango general, como una pelota bateada en algún lugar del parque. No exacto, pero en el área correcta.

野球由来の表現。ボールパーク（球場）のどこかに打たれたボールのように、大体の範囲内という意味。正確ではないが、だいたい合っている。

야구에서 유래—공이 경기장 안 어딘가에 떨어지는 것처럼, 대략적인 범위 안에 있다는 의미. 정확하지는 않지만 대체로 맞는 수준.

Literal meaning: Number in the ballpark area

Examples

Give me a ballpark figure for the cost.
给我个大概的成本估计
Dame una cifra aproximada del coste
費用のおおよその見積もりを教えて
비용의 대략적인 견적을 알려줘.
Ballpark, we're looking at around £10,000.
大概要一万英镑左右
Aproximadamente, estamos hablando de unas 10.000 libras
概算で約1万ポンドくらい
대충 잡으면 약 1만 파운드 정도야.
Is that even in the ballpark?
那个数靠谱吗？
¿Está eso siquiera cerca?
それは妥当な範囲？
그게 대략 맞는 범위야?

Pronunciation

/ˈbɔːlpɑːk ˈfɪɡə/

Usage Guide

Context: estimates, business, planning

Tone: casual, practical

✓ Do Say

Ballpark figure.
大概数字
Cifra aproximada
概算
대략적인 수치
In the ballpark.
大致差不多
Más o menos
だいたい合っている
대충 맞아
That's ballpark.
大概是那样
Es aproximado
おおよそそのくらい
대강 그 정도야

✗ Don't Say

Rough estimate
Rough estimate（粗略估计）
Rough estimate（Estimación aproximada）
Rough estimate（大まかな見積もり）
Rough estimate（대략적인 추정）
Approximate
Approximate（大约）
Approximate（Aproximado）
Approximate（おおよその）
Approximate（대략의）

Common Mistakes

Very common in business English
American origin but now universal

Origin & History

From baseball—if the ball is in the ballpark, it's at least in the right general area.

Etymology: American baseball slang, mid 20th century

First recorded: 1950s-60s

Cultural Context

Era: 1950s to present

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal, especially business

Pop culture: Business meetings; American speech

Regional notes: American origin, now used in British business English.

Variations

Ballpark figureIn the ballparkBallpark estimate