jockeying for position
Vying for advantage
Jockeying for position is maneuvering to gain advantage over competitors, like horse-race jockeys working to secure the best spot on the track.
The phrase applies to any competitive situation—politics, business, social hierarchy: Three executives were jockeying for position to become the next CEO.
It implies strategic, sometimes aggressive effort to get ahead.
- outflankingAttacking from the side
- edgingDecorative border material
- gaining groundMaking steady headway
- cutting in lineEntering ahead unfairly
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
networking · working the room · vying · persuasion · negotiation · power play · intimidation · throwing elbows · advancing · elbowing · scheming · angling for · shifting · rivalry · bluffing · jostling · influencing · maneuvering
jockeying for positionyielding
Bending under pressure
conceding · giving way · stepping aside · backing down · surrendering
jockeying for positionstaying put
Remaining in place
standing still · biding one's time · coasting · resting on one's laurels · doing nothing
jockeying for positioncooperating
Working jointly toward goals
collaborating · working together · team play · acting in good faith · falling in line
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