English Reference
Idiom idiom

buck for


To strive for persistently; to try hard to obtain (a promotion, raise, etc.).

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

He is really bucking for a promotion this year.

CONTEXTUAL

She has been working late every night because she is bucking for a raise before the end of the quarter.

COMPLEX

By consistently volunteering for the most difficult assignments, the ambitious junior associate was clearly bucking for a seat at the partner's table.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    bang for the buck

    Efficiency; cost-effectiveness; value.

  2. 02

    big bucks

    Lots of money.

  3. 03

    break the buck

    To fall below the value of one dollar per share.

  4. 04

    buck fever

    Excitement and nervousness felt by a new hunter upon seeing game.

  5. 05

    buck off

    Of a horse or other animal, to rear up on its hind legs in order to throw off or dislodge its rider.

  6. 06

    buck the trend

    To go against the norm or the current stand of the main population; have a differing opinion from the majority.

  7. 07

    buck up

    Cheer up; take courage; take heart.

  8. 08

    buck up one's ideas

    to pull one's socks up

Last updated August 10, 2026