wiggle room
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of wiggle room
First recorded in 1985–90
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Canada’s retaliatory tariffs aren’t set to take effect for another two weeks, leaving wiggle room for the two sides to reach a last-minute compromise.
From Slate ● Aug. 25, 2026
The problem is parents don’t have a lot of wiggle room on the matter, said Julie Margetta Morgan, the president of the Century Foundation.
From Salon ● Aug. 18, 2026
This burden strains cash flow and leaves little wiggle room for unexpected expenses.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 29, 2026
In a bid to appease countries such as Italy, Poland and the Czech Republic, her executive looks set to grant companies extra wiggle room.
From Barron's ● Jul. 17, 2026
“I do tend to get straight to business sometimes, don’t I? Though I have a lot of wiggle room before I get as grumpy as Alec.”
From "The Kill Order (Maze Runner, Book Four; Origin)" by James Dashner
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
