stand in for
B1 neutral inseparable transitive
In simple words
To do someone's job for them while they are away.
Literal meaning: To stand in the place of a specific person.
Meanings
1 B1 neutral
To take the place of a specific person who is absent, doing their job or role temporarily.
"Can you stand in for me at the meeting on Thursday? I have a doctor's appointment."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B2
idiomatic
neutral
To serve as a symbol or representation of someone or something else.
"In the play, the empty chair stands in for the absent father."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
This three-part phrasal verb is inseparable. Always followed by the name or description of the person being replaced.
Commonly used with
colleague manager teacher host presenter doctor
Forms
Base
stand in for
I/you/we/they
3rd person
stands in for
he/she/it
Past simple
stood in for
yesterday
Past participle
stood in for
have + pp
-ing form
standing in for
continuous
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Synonyms
substitute for replace fill in for cover for deputize for step in for
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