wiggle room

noun

1. room to maneuver; latitude.

wiggle room

noun

1. informal.
   scope for freedom of action or thought

Word History and Origins

Origin of wiggle room¹

First recorded in 1985–90

Example Sentences

So, the next day, she pulled it back a bit and added a word, “typically,” that gave her a lot of wiggle room.

From Washington Post

The suggested interval between the Moderna vaccine doses is 28 days, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says there’s wiggle room for both vaccines, advising that a six-week period is acceptable.

From Washington Post

The one-size-for-all design of some of the cheaper brands might leave you with too much wiggle room for your feet or not enough.

From Popular-Science

It doesn't sound like the third parties buying from Samsung will have a lot of wiggle room in terms of form factor.

From Ars Technica

If the NFL is forced to adjust this time, it must do so without the wiggle room of a 17-week slate.

From Washington Post

Many of us strike a happy medium, leaving enough wiggle room with reality to spin a good yarn.

From The Daily Beast

Bound by teachings on same-sex marriage, yes, but there was apparently some wiggle room on the issue of marriage in general.

From The Daily Beast

But he did leave a little wiggle room for a possible way out of the stalemate.

From The Daily Beast

He was so surprised by losing the vote that he overreacted and left himself no wiggle room.

From The Daily Beast

As for the official vote count, Republican staffers are already allowing for a bit of wiggle room.

From The Daily Beast