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

The nation’s four major oil-export facilities in Texas and Louisiana have a little wiggle room each month to fill up more tankers—but not much.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

The reasoning: Rising gross margins often show a company has pricing power with its customers, but it also gives a company wiggle room to boost its operating margin as long as other costs don’t balloon.

From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026

This may be an indication that dealers are leaving wiggle room to tack on undisclosed add-on charges.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 13, 2026

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 • Jan. 2, 2026

Between association with his father and their own memories of him as a feverish invalid, he had some wiggle room.

From "Ship Breaker" by Paolo Bacigalupi