sub in
B1 informal separable both
In simple words
Replace one person or thing with a different one.
Literal meaning: To substitute (sub) someone in — bringing a replacement into the game or process.
Meanings
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."
Grammar: separable
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."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
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').
Commonly used with
player ingredient butter midfielder component
Forms
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
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