English Phrase of the Day

fill in

Definitions

English > English
fill in
1. v. To fill; to replace material that is absent or has been removed.
After you're done laying the pipe, fill in the trench.
2. v. (transitive, idiomatic) To inform somebody, especially to supply someone missing or missed information.
If you know anything about this, maybe you can fill me in.
3. v. (intransitive, idiomatic) To substitute for somebody or something.
He can't go on vacation very often because there is nobody to fill in for him.
4. v. (transitive, chiefly British) To complete a form or questionnaire with requested information.
5. v. (slang) To beat up; to physically assault.
Talk to me like that again and I'll fill you in!
Analysis
fill
1. v. To occupy fully, to take up all of.
2. v. To add contents to (a container, cavity or the like) so that it is full.
3. v. To enter (something), making it full.
4. v. (intransitive) To become full.
the bucket filled with rain; the sails fill with wind
in
1. prep. Used to indicate location, inclusion, or position within spatial, temporal or other limits.
2. prep. Contained by.
The dog is in the kennel.
3. prep. Within.
4. prep. Surrounded by.

Example Sentences

Oh well, I'll fill in there.

The British were put in the difficult position of having to fill in the gaps, off the record.

You sound like that gossip columnist that wrote I should print my wedding invitations with a fill in the blank.

It says much for this book that having listened to the abridged version first I immediately started on the unabridged to fill in the gaps.

Well, I wasn't exactly sitting in class one day when all the boys and girls were filling in their career choices, deciding to be firemen, policemen and gynecologists, I didn't fill in anesthesiologist.

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