Wiggle Room

Hi,

Can I use this idiom like this

"Is there any wiggle room we can pardon Mr.XYZ?"

Will this be a correct usage or will it make the American's laugh?

Is there any wiggle room we can give Mr.XYZ?

Is there any wiggle room we can offer Mr.XYZ?

Is there any wiggle room we can make for Mr.XYZ?

Can we give Mr.XYZ any wiggle room?


I don't know what the American sense of humour is like so I don't know if they'd laugh. Any of the options above works for me, just don't use pardon, it's not the right word.

@ImranBhatti
Nothing laughable on this side of the pond. Trevor has shown you the way.

Agreed again. (from USA)

@Alan/Dave: thanks for the confirmation

Thanks to Trevor for a variety of usage sentences for the idiom.

Thanks to the verifiers

Special thanks to Dave (FlamRetired) as I wanted a confirmation from a USA native especially.

Originally Posted by TMS

I don't know what the American sense of humour is like..

Even after the last presidential election ?

@ImranBhatti: Steamboat Springs is, I think, in Colorado, USA ... so you've actually had two confirmations from USA residents .

Steamboat Springs is actually nicknamed "Ski Town, USA." Little known fact: The 'Boat has produced more Olympian Athletes than any other city in the USA. Over 100 and still counting.

Alright!

Then special thanks to Alan as well. I got another information regarding Steamboat, springs

@Imran,

Since you used the verb 'pardon' you might refer to something different from:

Is there any wiggle room we can give Mr.XYZ?

Is there any wiggle room we can offer Mr.XYZ?

Is there any wiggle room we can make for Mr.XYZ?

Can we give Mr.XYZ any wiggle room?

Maybe you meant:

Can we grant Mr.XYZ any wiggle room?
Can we permit Mr.XYZ any wiggle room?
Can we leave Mr.XYZ any wiggle room?

The content that I was writing is still in process

Here is the situation that I wanted to report as well as take some relaxation for Mr.XYZ

1: Here Mr XYZ has breached some rules set by management. Mr.xyz repented and wanted the management to forgive him.
2: Last year another person breached the same rule and was imposed a penalty (written in the rule book)
3: This time Mr.XYZ did breached the rule but witnesses say it seemed unconscious.

As the Higher authorities are not in the branch but they sit at Head Office. By rule the local management is bound to inform the Head Office but they also want the Head Office to forgive him as he is repenting and also some others are telling it was by mistake.

Currently I am using

Is there any wiggle room we can make for Mr.XYZ?

I think all 3 suggestions I made could be applied to the case you described (I prefer to use the word 'grant', because it implies to have some mercy/clemency with mr. XYZ).

"Wiggle room" does not apply to the employee and his violation of the rules, but to the officers and their ability to use their own discretion in applying the rules/penalties taking into account circumstances and histories.

Wiggle room ---> options, choices (excuse or drop the ax)

So, "Is there any wiggle room we can make for Mr.XYZ?" Should be: Do we have any wiggle room in this case?

How about "He knows better, but forgot in this one case."?

double posted....

The use of "case" in the two scenarios (post 12 v. post 15) is equivocal.

From post #12:

2: Last year another person breached the same rule and was imposed a penalty (written in the rule book)
3: This time Mr.XYZ did breached the rule but witnesses say it seemed [unconscious] unintentional.

Two different people violating the rules, still, the "wiggle room" lies with the mgmt with respect to options in handling the cases
-------------
Post #15 implies the same person, again (repeatedly?), violating the rules. Wiggle room still refers to mgmt action options, though they may be attenuated...

Thank you so very much for all these nuggets of wisdom. I was able to send my recommendations document without hesitation although it was not like Churchill grammer and long sentences.

It seems I will also learn English from this forum as I am learning VBA here.

Once again thanks to all of you and hope I will be guided in future as well.

Best Regards

Imran Bhatti

You are welcome. Glad to help. Thank you for the feedback, and I hope you get favorable feedback from your recommendations.

Oh yes. Thank you for marking your thread Solved.