plus or minus

1. Indicating a margin above and below a certain level. The margin of error is plus or minus three points, so we're still comfortably ahead of the national average. As the report is outside of the plus or minus 2 percent tolerance threshold, the bank has decided not to go through with the deal.

2. Approximately; roughly. There were maybe 20 people there, plus or minus. You'll need plus or minus 200 feet of cable if you want to reach the other side of the house.

3. With or without. Used especially in reference to medical treatments. Our current go-to treatment is a full course of chemotherapy, plus or minus an antiemetic depending on patient tolerance.

T-minus

Used to introduce a certain amount of time left before something starts or some event takes place. Traditionally used in the countdowns to space launches. OK everyone, T-minus 30 minutes! I repeat, our show starts in 30 minutes! A: "Attention, attention. Evacuate immediately. T-minute two hours before the reactor reaches critical mass." B: "Oh my god, we've all got to get out of here!"

plus-minus

more or less; roughly. South African

1992 Weekend Post He expected ‘plus-minus’ 1000 files would eventually be forwarded for ‘possible prosecution’.

plus or ˈminus

used when the number mentioned may actually be more or less by a particular amount: The margin of error was plus or minus three percentage points.