Crossword Genius

Scope to stretch out joint study, say (5,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

elbow room

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'scope' is the definition.

'stretch out joint study say' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'joint' could be 'elbow' (elbow joint is a kind of joint) and 'elbow' is found within the answer.
'study say' could be 'room' (study is a kind of room) and 'room' is found within the answer.
No letters remain.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'to' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for elbow room that I've seen before include "adequate working area" , "Space for manoeuvre" , "play" , "sufficient space" , "Freedom to move" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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