1 B1 neutral
To remove something currently in use and replace it with a different one, especially in practical or technical situations.
"Just swap out the old battery for a new one and the device should work fine."
separable
swap out
B1 neutral separable transitive
To remove something that is currently in use and replace it with something else.
In plain English
To take one thing out and put a different thing in its place.
What does "swap out" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 neutral
In cooking or recipes, to substitute one ingredient for another.
"You can swap out the butter for coconut oil if you want a dairy-free version."
separable
3 B1 neutral
In sports, to substitute one player for another during a match.
"The manager swapped out the goalkeeper at half-time after he picked up a minor injury."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To swap (exchange) something out (from its current position).
Actually means
To take one thing out and put a different thing in its place.
Usage tip
Very common in everyday and technical English. Used across many contexts: cooking (swap out one ingredient for another), sports (swap out a player), technology (swap out a battery or part). More informal than 'replace' but widely understood.
Words that pair with "swap out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
battery ingredient player tire part component
How to conjugate "swap out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
swap out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
swaps out
he/she/it
Past simple
swaped out
yesterday
Past participle
swaped out
have + pp
-ing form
swaping out
continuous
Hear "swap out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "swap out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.