figure

*in round numbers and *in round figures

Fig. as an estimated number; a figure that has been rounded off. (*Typically: be ~; express something ~; write something ~.) Please tell me in round numbers what it'll cost. I don't need the exact amount. Just give it to me in round figures.

See also: number, round

*root of the problem

an understanding of the causes or basis of a problem. (*Typically: determine ~; figure out ~; find ~; get to ~; get at ~.) It will take a little more study to get to the root of the problem. Let's stop avoiding the issue and get at the root of the problem.

See also: problem, root

ballpark figure

Fig. an estimate; an off-the-cuff guess. I don't need an exact number. A ballpark figure will do.

See also: ballpark

cut a fine figure

to look good; to look elegant. (Usually said of a male.) Tom really cuts a fine figure on the dance floor. Bill cuts a fine figure since he bought some new clothes.

See also: cut, fine

figure someone or something in(to) (something) and figure someone or something in

to reckon someone or something into the total. I will figure the electric bill into the total. We can figure in one more person.

figure someone or something out

to begin to comprehend someone or something; to come to understand someone or something better. I just can't figure you out. I can't figure out quiet people readily.

See also: out

figure someone as something

to think of a person as a particular type of person. I figured her as a reliable worker. We figured them all as good credit risks.

figure something up

to add up the amount of something. Please figure the bill up. We have to go now. I will figure up the bill right away.

See also: up

figure in something

[for someone or something] to play a role in something. Tom figures in our plans for future office management. I don't wish to figure in your future.

figure on someone or something

to count on someone or something; to assume something about someone or something. I am figuring on twelve people for dinner next Friday. We are figuring on you and your wife for dinner next weekend.

figure on doing something

to plan on something. I figured on arriving at the party around eight o'clock. Jane figured on spending $25 on dinner.

See also: doing

flatter one's figure

Fig. [for clothing] to make one look thin or to make one's figure look better than it is. The lines of this dress really flatter your figure. The trousers had a full cut that flattered Maria's figure.

Go figure.

It's really strange.; Just try to figure it out. She says she wants to have a conversation, but when I try, she does all the talking. Go figure.

It figures.

It makes sense.; It confirms what one might have guessed.; I'm not surprised. Bob: Tom was the one who broke the window. Bill: It figures. He's very careless. Ann: Mary was the last one to arrive. Sally: It figures. She's always late.

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a ballpark estimate/figure

a number which is only approximate, but which should be near to the correct number We're expecting sales of the book to generate around $10,000 dollars, although obviously that's just a ballpark figure.

See also: ballpark, estimate

a figure of fun

someone who people laugh at because they seem silly or stupid She's fed up with being treated as a figure of fun and insists that her ideas deserve serious attention.

See also: fun

be a fine figure of a man/woman  (old-fashioned)

to be someone who is big and strong with an attractive body She's a fine figure of a woman - not like all these skinny models.

See also: fine, man

cut a fine figure  (British, American & Australian old-fashioned) also cut a dash (British old-fashioned)

if someone cuts a fine figure, people admire their appearance, usually because they are wearing attractive clothes Giles cut a fine figure in his black velvet suit. Lucy cut a dash in her purple satin ballgown.

See also: cut, fine

cut an [interesting/ridiculous/unusual etc.] figure

if someone cuts an interesting, ridiculous, unusual etc. figure, they seem interesting, ridiculous, unusual etc. My Russian uncle cut an unusual figure among the very British audience.

See also: cut

Go figure!  (american)

used when you tell someone a fact and you want them to say that the fact is surprising or strange or stupid It's a terrible movie and it made $200 million. Go figure!

See cut an [interesting etc.] figure

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cut a figure

to create an image Wielding a knife and covered in blood, the actress cut a figure that was terrifying.

Usage notes: usually used with an adjective before figure: He was tall and slim and cut a handsome figure.

See also: cut

figure somebody out also figure out somebody

to understand why someone behaves the way they do I've never been able to figure her out. Could anyone ever figure out my parents?

See also: out

figure on something

1. to expect something I'd better not figure on staying with them if they already have weekend guests.

2. to plan something I had figured on serving ten people dinner and had just the right amount of food.

figure out something also figure something out

to understand something by thinking about it After I figured out that I would earn only eighty cents an hour, I said forget it. She spent an hour trying to install the software, but John finally figured it out.

Related vocabulary: puzzle out something

See also: out

go figure

I do not understand this The paint was really good, so they stopped making it - go figure, right? A bus station is where a bus stops. On my desk I have a work station. Go figure.

Usage notes: used after making a statement to show that you think the situation you described is silly

Related vocabulary: don't ask me