sliding scale

plural sliding scales

1. A pricing scheme for a product or service where a price range is set and the customer is charged based on where their financial resources fall within the range.
2. A slide rule.
3. A continuous set of measurement values for which the item being measured can change its value easily.

   Near-synonym: spectrum

   1 more example

   not in his favoured midfield role, either but as a false No 9: the sort of role Guardiola only hands to his chosen, crystalline few: Mario Götze at Bayern Munich (less successfully), Lionel Messi at Barcelona (a little more so). Where Foden eventually ends up on that sliding scale is a game of pointless conjecture. But it speaks volumes of Foden’s versatility, technical ability, effortless aggression and tireless running that Guardiola felt that this was the time to find out.

   2020 August 7, Jonathan Liew, “Phil Foden stars to offer Manchester City glimpse of multiple futures”, in The Guardian

   Synonyms: spectrum