Expression idiomatique en anglais: Ballpark figure

Ballpark figure

Meaning:

• To be near about the exact (usually in amount)
• An estimate of what the actual figure will be like

Example sentences

• The management was given a ballpark figure at the very beginning of the presentation.
• I have donated this ballpark figure to the children's aid this morning.
• Even a ballpark figure to this number is going to hurt our overall numbers very badly this quarter.
• I save a ballpark figure of 20% from my salary every month as something for the rainy day.
• Do you know that the making of this building cost a ballpark figure of 1 million US dollars?
• I need a ballpark figure that will be required for this project so that the management can make further business and finance décisions.
• The ballpark figure has been allocated among all the shareholders, when the company liquidated.

Origin

The origin of this phrase comes from how a commentator would give an estimate of the number of audiences by just looking around. Speculated to have started in America through baseball but it is now a popular way of speaking throughout the world.

Source: http://www.theidioms.com/ballpark-figure/