fill in for
phr. v..phr. v.. to do someone else's work for a short time because they are away or sick.
phr. v.. to act as a temporary substitute for someone; typically used in professional or social contexts to denote a short-term replacement.
Can you fill in for me while I'm at the doctor?
The assistant manager had to fill in for the director during her three-week maternity leave.
Despite having little experience in logistics, Sarah was asked to fill in for the department head during the emergency summit.
- Particles
- in for
- Separability
- inseparable
- Pattern
- fill + in + for + object
usually followed by a person; implies the substitution is temporary.
contrast with 'stand in for' (very similar) and 'replace' (which often implies a permanent change); 'fill in' without 'for' can also mean to complete a form.
I will fill in for his job.I will fill in for him.you fill in for a person, not for a task or a position; you 'fill' a position but 'fill in for' a colleague.