ballpark figure - idiom meaning?

Question

What is the meaning of "ballpark figure" idiom?

Answer 1

 

Idiom Conjugations:

 

Answer 2

Gerund Form of the Idiom:

Ballparking it can be a great way to give someone an estimate.
 

Answer 3

Idiom Usage:

This idiom is used whenever the idea of an approximate estimate is required.
 

Answer 4

Idiom Scenario 2:

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Debbie has been working on a large and very important report at work.  Debbie's boss came to visit Debbie in her office ...

Boss:      "How are you doing with that big report, Debbie?"
Debbie:  "I'm making good progress on it."
Boss:      "Do you know when you will be finished?"
Debbie:  "It is difficult to say.  There are so many factors involved and I am still waiting for other team members to submit their parts."
Boss:       "I understand that you cannot give me a definite time but could you ballpark it for me?"
Debbie:  "The report should be finished sometime the week after next."

 

Idiom Scenario 3:

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Sam's car is not working.  Sam cannot start his car.  Sam has called a tow truck and the tow truck has taken the car to a garage.  The mechanic at the garage has inspected Sam's car.

Sam:            "Well, how bad is it?"
Mechanic:  "There are a lot of problems with your car, sir."
Sam:            "How much will it cost to repair my car?"
Mechanic:  "That's hard to say until I start working on your car."
Sam:            "Do you think it will cost around $2,000 to fix it?"
Mechanic:  "Ya, that's in the ballpark."

Answer 5

Idiom Scenario 1:

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Sam's car is not working.  Sam cannot start his car.  Sam has called a tow truck and the tow truck has taken the car to a garage.  The mechanic at the garage has inspected Sam's car.

Sam:            "Well, how bad is it?"
Mechanic:  "There are a lot of problems with your car, sir."
Sam:            "How much will it cost to repair my car?"
Mechanic:  "That's hard to say until I start working on your car."
Sam:            "Can you give me a ballpark figure?"
Mechanic:  "Depending on what I find, it could cost anywhere between $2,000 and $2,500."

Answer 6

Idiom Definition:

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"ballpark figure "

a ballpark figure is an estimate
 

"to ballpark it" 

to give or make an estimate

 
"to be in the ballpark"

to be close to the actual reality of a situation
 

Synonyms: about, approximate, approximation, close, estimate, guess, near, nearly, projection
 
 

Note:  A ballpark, like the one pictured here, is a large space.  Therefore, if something is in the ballpark, it is only a approximate indication of a location somewhere within this large space.