Elbowroom: meaning, definitions and examples
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elbowroom
[ ˈelˌbōˌro͞om ]
physical space
Elbow room refers to the amount of space available around a person, especially when it is sufficient to allow freedom of movement and comfort. It can pertain to physical environments, as well as metaphorical situations where individuals have the freedom to act or make choices without constraints.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The small apartment lacked enough elbow room for the growing family.
- In negotiations, having some elbow room is essential for finding a compromise.
- She appreciated the elbow room in the wide-open field away from crowded streets.
Translations
Translations of the word "elbowroom" in other languages:
🇵🇹 espaço para manobra
🇮🇳 जगह
🇩🇪 Spielraum
🇮🇩 ruang gerak
🇺🇦 простір для маневру
🇵🇱 margines
🇯🇵 余裕
🇫🇷 marge de manœuvre
🇪🇸 margen de maniobra
🇹🇷 hareket alanı
🇰🇷 여유 공간
🇸🇦 مساحة للمناورة
🇨🇿 manévrovací prostor
🇸🇰 manévrovací priestor
🇨🇳 活动空间
🇸🇮 manevrski prostor
🇮🇸 hreyfingarými
🇰🇿 маневр жасауға орын
🇬🇪 მანევრის სივრცე
🇦🇿 manevr üçün yer
🇲🇽 espacio de maniobra
Etymology
The term 'elbow room' originated in the 16th century, comparatively late relative to other idiomatic phrases in English. Its foundation can be traced back to a literal sense of physical space, where the ability to stretch one’s elbow implies having sufficient personal space to maneuver freely and comfortably. The phrase reflects a practical observation of how bodies interact with their surroundings, and metaphorically, it expanded to represent freedoms and choices in various contexts, such as personal, social, and business environments. Over time, this idiom gained popularity and is commonly used in both spoken and written English today, symbolizing not just physical space but also the psychological need for freedom and autonomy in decision-making.