leeway

 
Pronunciation: /ˈliːweɪ/

noun

[mass noun]
  • 1the amount of freedom to move or act that is available: the government had greater leeway to introduce reforms
  • margin of safety: there is little leeway if anything goes wrong
  • 2the sideways drift of a ship to leeward of the desired course: the leeway is only about 2°

Phrases

make up (the) leeway

British struggle out of a bad position, especially by recovering lost time: he never made up the leeway and was five lengths down at the finish