What does jockey mean?
Jockey most commonly refers to a person who rides horses competitively, especially in professional races. It can also refer, by extension, to someone who operates machinery such as a locomotive. Figuratively, a jockey is an informal and usually disparaging term for a person who cheats, manipulates circumstances, or maneuvers cunningly to gain an advantage. As a verb, to jockey means to ride competitively, to push or jostle for room, or to compete persistently for position, attention, power, or influence. Phrases such as “jockey for position” show this broader sense of strategic maneuvering. The word is familiar from horse racing but is also used in politics, business, finance, and everyday competition. Its movement from a literal racer to a figurative schemer gives it a memorable tension: it describes both skill and control, but often carries a suggestion that the maneuvering may be unfair.
A person who rides horses competitively, especially in races; a person who operates machinery such as a locomotive; or, figuratively, someone who manipulates or competes cunningly for advantage.
"The leading jockey was expected to ride the favorite in the race."
The horse-racing and machine-operator senses are usually neutral. The figurative sense is informal and generally disparaging.
To ride competitively, compete persistently for position or advantage, or maneuver roughly in order to make room.
"Candidates jockeyed for media attention throughout the campaign."
The verb often suggests determined maneuvering and can imply unfair or underhand tactics, especially in the phrase “jockey for position.”
The standard plural of the noun is “jockeys.”
"Several jockeys rode in the final race."
Jockey began as a term for a horse racer, but its figurative sense turned the word into a warning about people who maneuver ruthlessly to get ahead.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does jockey come from?
The English word comes from Dutch, where jockey was a diminutive related to jock, meaning a fellow or rascal. The racing sense developed in the late sixteenth century, when the word was used for a person who rode horses in races. The broader figurative sense of an opportunistic or dishonest competitor developed from the idea of someone maneuvering for advantage.
Related word forms
How jockey is actually used
The racing sense is neutral and professional. The figurative noun is informal and generally disparaging, suggesting manipulation, opportunism, or cheating. As a verb, “jockey for” can be neutral when it means competing for attention or advantage, but it may imply persistent or underhand maneuvering.