wiggle room

American  

noun

1. room to maneuver; latitude.

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wiggle room British  

noun

1. informal scope for freedom of action or thought

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Etymology

Origin of wiggle room

First recorded in 1985–90

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, lower-income households typically have tax bills that are already very low, leaving less wiggle room to reduce what they owe through deductions, the BofA analysts note.

From Barron's

The one area with wiggle room is eating, typically her biggest area of discretionary spending.

From The Wall Street Journal

"I'm losing sleep over the $6,700, but I have a little wiggle room to be able to do that because once I get a job, I can pay it off," Morgan said.

From BBC

The Lower Woodies had a sparser insurance policy, but more wiggle room in its rules about rebuilding.

From The Wall Street Journal

This decline in crime gives Mamdani "a bit of wiggle room to think creatively" about public safety in New York, including improving social services and support, Mr Egan said.

From BBC