bucking for
Angling to get
Bucking for means actively seeking or striving to obtain something, typically a promotion, raise, or favorable status: He's bucking for a corner office, She's been bucking for sergeant for two years.
The phrase often carries a hint of calculated ambition—someone visibly angling for advancement rather than quietly earning it.
- aspiringSeeking to achieve
- climbing the ladderProgressing through hierarchy
- strivingEarnest sustained endeavor
- seekingAttempting to find
- promotionRank increase or publicity
corner office · pursuing · ambitious · fast track · endeavoring · moving up · contesting · recognition · jockeying · hustle · raise · currying favor · kissing up · brown nosing · drive · positioning · vying · playing the game
bucking forsitting back
Leaning into a backrest
biding one's time · waiting around · resting on one's laurels · coasting · going through the motions
bucking forshying away from
Instinctively withdrawing from something
avoiding · evading · ducking · sidestepping