jockeying for position

jockey for position

1. Literally, to move one's horse into a good or ideal position while racing. He's jockeying for position, but I don't think he'll finish higher than third.
2. To compete against others for a desirable role or thing. With the CEO retiring, everyone in management is jockeying for position The more outgoing kids started jockeying for position as soon as the class took the stage.
See also: jockey, position

jockeying for position

The act of competing against others for a desirable role or thing. This jockeying for position needs to stop—the CEO has already chosen his successor.
See also: jockey, position
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • jockey for position
  • jockey for position, to
  • pass (something) down (to someone)
  • pass down
  • a heartbeat away
  • a heartbeat away from being
  • a heartbeat from
  • heartbeat
  • heartbeat (away) from being (something)
  • at the top of the heap
References in periodicals archive
But before that agreement, it seems that the Taliban are still jockeying for position, trying to make territorial gains before the agreement, as witness their attack on Kunduz, repulsed as it was by Afghan government forces.
Afghanistan not settled yet - There still too many unknowns to decide that the crisis is over
BILL Clinton, after leaving office, was asked who would receive his endorsement from the presidential hopefuls jockeying for position.
Does Boris want the President's praise?
TORY leadership hopefuls were jockeying for position yesterday as Theresa May looked increasingly doomed.
Leadership vultures are now circling
Cue the jockeying for position of world leaders as they choose sides.
Texts
Balls-up or shameless jockeying for position on Bo-Jo's part?
Bo-Jo rights and thongs
THERE could be some interesting jockeying for position at the bottom end of the table when the final round of the regular season comes along in a couple of weeks time.
Fixtures favour Centurions
'With three games left in the conference and everyone jockeying for position and San Miguel's clearly on top, this thing could play out, we're not going to make the playoffs.'
Sloppy Aces pay price with loss to Elite
Close White House observers say Team Trump is in turmoil with the generals constantly jockeying for position. White House officials respond that such a notion is nonsense.
Last man standing?
A number of firms are jockeying for position to join the UK's biggest public businesses.
FTSE 100 fears for the owners of Alton Towers
Tehran has become a hot destination for foreign delegations, jockeying for position in the lucrative new market opening for business.
Official: Iran to Hold 8th Airshow in Fall
Globalization has oft been described as a race to the bottom, but as with any race, there is much jockeying for position. The nations in the lead may surprise some corporations and nations, suggests a report from the Boston Consulting Group.
Globalization's Old "Race To The Bottom" Finds Unlikely Winners
"This looks like jockeying for position ahead of a potential need for a need for a structured output agreement in 2014," said Bill Farren-Price of consultancy Petroleum Policy Intelligence.
Iran and Iraq put Opec on notice
Boris Johnson's controversial speech is widely seen as him jockeying for position within the Conservative Party as >Lady Thatcher's political heir apparent
Boris is 'unpleasantly elite' claims Clegg
Something tells me they are already jockeying for position to replace him, if the system is changed on Thursday, because the mood of the residents I speak to on the street is that they no longer want this system of elected mayor.
Which dictator will we choose? FEEDBACK
Everybody is just jockeying for position, and I would take everything a manager or chief executive says right now with a sizeable pinch of salt.
Bale could spark domino effect