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fill in for — to temporarily replace someone who is absent

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to temporarily replace someone who is absent

Pronunciation (IPA): /fɪl ɪn fɔːr/

Example Sentences

  • My cat tried to fill in for me during my Zoom meeting, but surprisingly, it gave better presentations than I do.
  • Could you fill in for Sarah while she's on vacation next week?
  • The intern had to fill in for the CEO, and now everyone wants to promote the intern to CEO.

fill in for

VERB

[/fɪl ɪn fɔːr/]

to temporarily replace someone who is absent

someone temporarily replacing another person who is absent
💡 Concept

someone temporarily replacing another person who is absent

When you fill in for others, show your skill and iron will!
🎵 Rhyme

When you fill in for others, show your skill and iron will!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/fɪl ɪn fɔːr/
🇬🇧 UK/fɪl ɪn fɔː/

🌳Etymology

Origin

This phrasal verb developed from the combination of three Old English elements: 'fill' (meaning to make full), 'in' (indicating interior space or position), and 'for' (indicating purpose or beneficiary). The phrase emerged to describe the action of occupying a vacant position or role on behalf of someone else, as if completing a missing puzzle piece.

Breakdown

fill (to make full) + in (within, into) + for (on behalf of, in place of). Together they form a phrasal verb meaning to substitute for someone or complete a task in their absence.

🎵Rhyme

skill
will
still

🔗Collocations

fill in for someone
fill in for a colleague
fill in for the boss
fill in for the teacher
temporarily fill in
fill in during absence

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“My cat tried to fill in for me during my Zoom meeting, but surprisingly, it gave better presentations than I do.”

“Could you fill in for Sarah while she's on vacation next week?”

😄 Fun example

“The intern had to fill in for the CEO, and now everyone wants to promote the intern to CEO.”

“I'll fill in for you at the conference if you're not feeling well.”

📚Related Words

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