# buck for

CEFR C1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/buck-for
Updated: 2026-10-22

## Definition

you use this when you are working very hard or trying to impress your boss because you want a promotion or a special favor.

For teachers: to strive for or work toward a specific goal, typically a promotion or commendation, often by attempting to curry favor with superiors. Transitive and inseparable, requiring an object representing the desired outcome.

## Examples

- He is bucking for a promotion this year.
- Ever since the new manager arrived, Sarah has been bucking for that supervisor role by staying late every night.
- Despite his colleagues' resentment, the ambitious junior officer spent his weekends bucking for a commendation from the general.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He is bucking to a promotion." but "He is bucking for a promotion." — The verb 'buck' requires the preposition 'for' when it means striving to obtain something.

## Usage notes

- Usually followed by a noun like 'promotion', 'raise', or 'favor'.
- Teaching tip: Note the American military origins where soldiers would 'buck' for a pass or a stripe; it implies a level of obvious effort that might annoy peers.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.