elbow room

• Espace suffisant pour se mouvoir ou travailler confortablement ; au sens figuré, liberté d'action sans contraintes.

Sufficient space to move or work comfortably; figuratively, the freedom to act without restrictions.

1. Physical spaceB1informal

   Sufficient space to move freely or comfortably.

   marge de manœuvre

   • The train was so crowded there was no elbow room.
   • We need more elbow room in this office.
   • He stretched out to get some elbow room on the sofa.

2. Freedom to actB2informal

   The freedom or opportunity to do what you want without restrictions.

   marge de manœuvre

   • The new manager gave the team more elbow room to innovate.
   • She needs some elbow room to make her own decisions.
   • The contract doesn't leave much elbow room for negotiation.