Elbow room
LEEWAY
Our word “leeway” meaning “spare margin” is nautical in origin. A vessel’s leeway is the amount of drift motion away from her intended course that is caused by the action of the wind.
“Leeway” can have different meanings depending on the context. Here are a couple of common interpretations:
- Nautical Term: In a nautical context, leeway refers to the sideways drift or deviation of a ship or boat from its intended course caused by external forces such as wind or currents. It represents the degree to which a vessel is off course to leeward.
- Figurative Meaning: In a more general sense, “leeway” can refer to the freedom or flexibility to act within certain limits. For example, if someone has leeway in decision-making, it means they have some degree of flexibility or discretion in making choices.
