lowball

Definition

Significantly below the actual cost or value.

Etymology

American railroad term that described one of two positions of the ball of a ball signal. Compare highball.

Example Sentences

• "In April, NASA selected SpaceX to build the lunar lander for the Artemis program, thanks in part to a lowball $2.9 billion bid."
• "At the meeting last Wednesday during which these changes were announced, the interim head of the NEH also estimated that each of the 250 statues would cost $100,000 to $200,000, bringing the total cost as high as $50 million. And this may have been a lowball figure."