crunch (the) numbers

crunch (the) numbers

To compile, calculate, and/or analyze a large amount of numerical data, especially as relates to finance. We've been crunching the numbers for hours, and I just don't see how we'll be able to afford another child! This new computer crunches numbers faster than any of us could even dream of!See also: crunch, number

crunch numbers

Perform numerous calculations or process a large amount of numerical data. For example, Preparing John's presentation to the Federal Reserve Board required many hours of crunching numbers . This term originated with the computer age and indeed still applies mostly to the operations of computers. [Slang; second half of 1900s] See also: crunch, number

crunch numbers

or

crunch the numbers

If you crunch numbers or crunch the numbers, you do calculations with numbers. The computer crunched numbers for a month to calculate how each of 100,000 stars moves over time. They don't have enough analysts to crunch the numbers. Note: The activity of doing this is called number crunching. Now the number crunching begins and deals will be made.See also: crunch, number