1 B1 informal
(Sports) To replace a player on the field with a substitute during a game.
"The coach subbed in a fresh striker with ten minutes left to play."
separable
sub in
B1 informal separable transitive/intransitive
To put a substitute player, ingredient, or element into a game, recipe, or system in place of another.
In plain English
Replace one person or thing with a different one.
What does "sub in" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 informal
To use one ingredient or element in place of another in a recipe or process.
"You can sub in Greek yoghurt for sour cream if you want a healthier option."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To substitute (sub) someone in — bringing a replacement into the game or process.
Actually means
Replace one person or thing with a different one.
Usage tip
Common in sports contexts (substituting a player) and cooking (swapping an ingredient). The opposite of 'sub out'. Often used as an intransitive when talking about a player entering the game themselves ('he subbed in for the injured striker').
Words that pair with "sub in"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
player ingredient butter midfielder component
How to conjugate "sub in"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
sub in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
subs in
he/she/it
Past simple
subed in
yesterday
Past participle
subed in
have + pp
-ing form
subing in
continuous
Hear "sub in" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "sub in" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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