They're so far behind that they have little hope of 'making up the leeway' on the leaders. [=of catching up with the leaders]
The new rules allow managers (to have) greater 'leeway' in making decisions.
They give/allow their students 'leeway' to try new things.
(..) is like jumping onto a moving train. So any more than that and I might miss. Well, we may have some leeway. The launch takes minutes. And it'll be minutes before intercept. Once mark's engine shuts off... (..)2015 The Martian