def _resize_plot_inches(plot, width_change=0, height_change=0):
    """
    Accepts a matplotlib figure or axes object and resizes it (in inches).
    Returns the original object.

    Parameters
    ----------
    plot: matplotlib.Figure() or matplotlib.Axes()
        The matplotlib Figure/Axes object to be resized.

    width_change: `float`
        The amount of change to be added on to original width.
        Use negative values for reducing figure dimensions.

    height_change `float`
        The amount of change to be added on to original height.
        Use negative values for reducing figure dimensions.

    Returns
    -------
    plot: matplotlib.Figure() or matplotlib.Axes()
        The matplotlib Figure/Axes object after being resized.
    """
    try:
        orig_size = plot.figure.get_size_inches()
    except AttributeError:
        orig_size = plot.get_size_inches()
    new_size = (orig_size[0] + width_change,
                orig_size[1] + height_change,
                )
    try:
        plot.figure.set_size_inches(new_size, forward=True)
    except AttributeError:
        plot.set_size_inches(new_size)
    return plot