give leeway

USAGE SUMMARY

"give leeway" is correct and usable in written English.
It typically means to allow a person or situation to be flexible or tolerant of slight variation. For example, "Our supervisor has been giving us leeway on project deadlines due to the current pandemic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Those laws already give leeway to religious groups so that they can give preferential treatment to hiring people of their own faith.

The New York Times

And the Bush administration's clean-air proposals give leeway to utilities that were the subject of lawsuits by New Jersey and other states when Mrs. Whitman was governor.

The New York Times

"They know this is a difficult decision for this government and yet they did not want to give leeway," she said.

The Guardian

The government is still in no mood to give leeway to Tibetan dissenters who, it fears, might seize on any inadequacies in the relief mission to whip up public anger.

The Economist

But those countries that have been virtuous over deficits will be reluctant to give leeway to the malefactors.Meanwhile, economists at the European Commission worry that, if governments cannot control state spending in present circumstances, they will face an explosion of deficit spending in decades to come, as pensions costs soar (see article).

The Economist

At the start of play, with Middlesex 64 ahead, there was the sniff of a chance for them to squeeze a win, but with eight wickets down, it would require some robust lower-order play to give them time, and a significant quantity of runs to give leeway.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Lowest is not necessarily best, with the schools given leeway.

The New York Times

Mr. Bo was given leeway to speak in court, but there were obvious limits.

The New York Times

Developing nations are given leeway to offer some protection for local companies.

The New York Times

Though public drinking is prohibited in Indonesia, in practice local governments have been given leeway in selling alcoholic drinks.

The Economist

Its strategy stands in contrast to pension pots in Canada and Australia, for example, which are given leeway to be more daring.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "give leeway", ensure the context clearly defines the boundaries or limits within which flexibility is being granted.

Common error

Avoid using "give leeway" in situations where absolute freedom is intended. The phrase implies limitations or guidelines still exist.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "give leeway" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the act of granting someone or something a degree of flexibility or tolerance within certain constraints. As seen in Ludwig's examples, this phrase is often used in contexts where rules or standards exist, but some deviation is permitted.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

13%

Academia

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "give leeway" is a versatile phrase used to indicate granting flexibility or tolerance within specified boundaries. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and widely used in various contexts, particularly in news, science, and business. While alternatives like "offer latitude" or "grant flexibility" exist, "give leeway" effectively conveys the idea of controlled freedom. When using this phrase, ensure the context clarifies the scope of the flexibility being granted to avoid any ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grant flexibility

Focuses on the act of providing adaptability within certain parameters.

afford flexibility

Stresses making adaptability available or possible.

offer latitude

Emphasizes providing freedom of action or decision-making.

permit flexibility

Highlights allowing adaptability within a system or plan.

offer some latitude

Indicates providing a measure of freedom in action or interpretation.

allow discretion

Highlights permitting someone to use their own judgment.

show leniency

Focuses on demonstrating mildness or tolerance in discipline or rules.

provide room for maneuver

Stresses enabling movement or adjustment within given limits.

extend grace

Implies showing leniency or forgiveness in specific situations.

permit some slack

Implies allowing a degree of looseness or freedom from strict requirements.

FAQs

How can I use "give leeway" in a sentence?

You can use "give leeway" to indicate granting someone flexibility or freedom within certain limits. For example, "The manager decided to "grant flexibility" to the team regarding their working hours."

What does "give leeway" mean?

"Give leeway" means to provide someone with the freedom to act or decide in a particular way, but within a set of guidelines or limitations. It suggests a degree of tolerance or flexibility.

What are some alternatives to "give leeway"?

Alternatives to "give leeway" include "offer latitude", "allow discretion", or "permit flexibility". These phrases also convey the idea of granting freedom within specified boundaries.

Is it better to "give leeway" or "grant absolute freedom"?

The choice depends on the context. "Give leeway" implies controlled flexibility, while "grant absolute freedom" means unlimited autonomy. Use "give leeway" when some guidelines or limitations are still in place.