give (one) (some/a little) breathing room

1. To provide one with more physical space around oneself, so that one does not feel constricted or smothered. I'm a doctor, let me see if I can help. Please, move back and give us breathing room. Why do they always crowd cubicles together? Give us some breathing room, please! Can you please back up and give me some breathing room?

2. To allow one a sufficient buffer of time, money, etc., that provides some relief from a given source of pressure or stress. My yearly bonus always gives us a little breathing room for the Christmas expenses. The professor knew we had a bunch of exams all in one week, so she extended the deadline for our midterm papers to give us all some breathing room. Thank goodness they moved the event to 4:00. Now we have a little breathing room if we hit traffic on our way to the venue.