The phrase "jockey for position" is spelled using the IPA phonetic transcription as /ˈdʒɒki fɔːr pəˈzɪʃən/. The word "jockey" is spelled with a "j" and pronounced with a soft "g" sound as in "giraffe." It means to compete for a position or advantage. The phrase is often used in the context of sports or career advancement. The word "position" is spelled as it sounds, with a stress on the second syllable, and means a place or status.
Jockey for position is an idiomatic expression derived from the world of horse racing, which refers to the strategic maneuvering and competition that takes place on the track among jockeys trying to obtain an advantageous position in the race. However, metaphorically, the phrase has expanded its usage to describe any situation where individuals or entities engage in strategic tactics and maneuvering to gain an advantageous position or advantage over others.
In a broader context, when people or organizations jockey for position, they are engaged in a competitive struggle to secure a preferred status, achieve a better outcome, or establish themselves in a more advantageous position compared to their rivals or competitors. This can involve engaging in various tactics, such as lobbying, networking, negotiations, or asserting influence to gain the upper hand.
The phrase often implies a sense of intense competition, where individuals or entities are actively seeking any opportunity to improve their position or gain an advantage over their rivals. As such, it may involve both overt and covert actions, such as making strategic alliances, leveraging personal connections, or undermining competitors through negative tactics.
Overall, jockeying for position is a metaphorical expression that captures the dynamics of strategic competition and maneuvering, highlighting the efforts made by individuals or organizations to secure a more advantageous position, whether in the world of horse racing or in various other competitive contexts.