figure out someone/something

figure | Business English

figure
noun[ C ]
uk /ˈfɪɡər/us
an amount shown as a number, used especially in documents and reports:
Overall Christmas sales figures released earlier this week were disappointing.
official/government figuresUS exports to Saudi Arabia were valued at 6.2 billion dollars, according to official figures.
latest/final/interim figureThe latest figures show that average spending on food is now around 15% of income.
closing/opening/preliminary figureMany professionals prefer this chart as it shows the full range of the price movements rather than just the closing figure.
a high/low figureA high figure may indicate that the economy is overheating, as consumers borrow in order to live beyond their means.
average/rough/approximate figureHe was able to give me an approximate figure of £36,000.
In five years they plan to have 2,010 stores - almost double the current figure.
the actual/exact figureI can't remember the exact figure, but it was $10 billion or thereabouts.
unemployment/crime figuresThere was positive news in the labour market, with unexpectedly good unemployment figures.
listening/viewing/attendance figuresListening figures for the breakfast show have risen, helping the station push its audience share back over 10 per cent.
a number shown as a symbol rather than a word:
The figure 6 was clearly marked on the door.
Write 'twelve thousand and fifty six' in figures.
an important or well-known person:
public/industry/political figurePublic figures from athletes to religious leaders have campaigned on the issue.
central/key/major figureShe is a central figure in the sport and the president of its dominant organization.
senior/leading/prominent figureThe controversial paper was attacked by many prominent figures within the scientific establishment.
government/corporate figureNormally a routine overseas trip by a government figure would hardly warrant attention.
 put a figure on sth
to give an exact amount or number:
It is difficult to put a figure on the cost of the repair work, as it is still rising.
 single/double figures
the numbers 1 to 9/10 to 99:
Many of these companies have low price-earnings ratios, some in single figures.
There are fears that inflation could soon run into double figures.
 six-figure/seven-figure
used to describe a number in the hundreds of thousands or millions:
She has a top City job with a six-figure salary.
figure
verb
uk /ˈfɪɡər/us
[ T ]
to calculate something:
figure thatEconomists figure that the average snowmobiler spends about $555 per visit to the Yellowstone area.
[ I ]
to appear or to be included in something:
figure in sthThe cost of higher education is expected to figure prominently in all of the parties' policies this November.

Phrasal verb