ballpark
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A rough estimate or acceptable range: A figurative meaning referring to an approximate number, amount, or area that is considered to be close or reasonable, not exact.
- A sports stadium: A facility, typically one with open stands, where ball games (especially baseball) are played.
Usage and Examples
Noun (Estimate/Range):
- Can you give me a ballpark figure for how much the repairs will cost?
- Her guess was in the right ballpark, but the actual number was slightly higher.
- We're not looking for an exact quote, just a ballpark estimate.
Noun (Stadium):
- We spent the afternoon at the ballpark watching the game.
- The new ballpark downtown can seat over 40,000 fans.
- The smell of hot dogs is classic ballpark cuisine.
Advanced Usage
- "In the ballpark": Being within a reasonable or acceptable range; approximately correct.
- Your initial proposal is in the ballpark, but we need to refine the details.
- "Ballpark figure/estimate/number": A very common collocation emphasizing a rough, approximate calculation.
- I don't need the final cost, just give me a ballpark number to work with.
Variants and Related Words
- Ballpark (adjective): Used to describe something as approximate.
- We agreed on a ballpark price before starting the detailed work.
Synonyms
- For "estimate/range": approximation, rough idea, guesstimate, vicinity, neighborhood.
- For "stadium": arena, field, park, grounds, diamond (specifically for baseball).
Idioms and Common Phrases
- "A ballpark estimate": As described above, this is the most frequent idiomatic use.
- "Out of the ballpark" / "Out of the park": Far beyond the expected range or standard; exceptionally good (this idiom originates from baseball, meaning a home run hit so far it leaves the stadium).
- Her presentation was out of the ballpark; the clients loved it.
Noun
- near to the scope or range of something
- his answer wasn't even in the right ballpark
- a facility in which ball games are played (especially baseball games)
- take me out to the ballpark