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Glite Dictionary
to go for a promotion

to go for a promotion

1 3.4
To try to get a higher job at work
  • phrasal verb
: buscar un ascenso
  • This is important if you're going for a promotion or considering seeking a job elsewhere that pays more.

Examples

  • If she is planning to go for a promotion, she should prepare for the interview.

  • He decided to go for a promotion this year to advance his career.

  • Many employees go for a promotion to demonstrate their commitment to the company.

Synonyms

to move up
vsto go for a promotion
43 3.2

Get a better job or higher position at work

is specifically an active attempt to obtain a higher position at work
to climb the corporate ladder
vsto go for a promotion
3 4.8

To move up in a company by getting promotions and more responsibility

is an immediate attempt to reach a higher position rather than long career progression
to bucking for a promotion
vsto go for a promotion
  • Informal
1 6.2

To try hard to get a higher job at work

is a normal attempt to obtain a higher position without strong effort

Antonyms

to avoid
∞ 1.0

To stay away from something or not do it to stop something bad from happening

How Actively

to campaign
344 3.9
to go for a promotion
1 3.4
to push
731 1.5
to put up
6 4.0

Surface Forms

go for a promotion infinitive
went for a promotion past
gone for a promotion past participle
going for a promotion present participle
goes for a promotion third person singular

Morphology

go + for + a + promotion

The meaning 'to actively seek or attempt to obtain a higher position' is directly derivable from the parts: 'go for' commonly means 'try/attempt' and 'promotion' is a higher position. This compositional motion/purpose pattern is common and predictable, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words would readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

The phrasal verb go for a promotion comes from the simple image of go for (move toward) and promotion (being moved up to a higher job). Imagine stepping forward to reach a higher step or title at work, and that's why it means 'to try to get a higher job'.