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fill in

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fill in

[for an indentation, hole, etc.] to become full. The scar filled in after a few months. Will this hole in the ground fill in by itself, or should I put some dirt in?

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fill in (for someone or something)

Fig. to substitute for someone or something; to take the place of someone or something. I will have to fill in for Wally until he gets back. I don't mind filling in.

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fill someone in (on someone or something)

to tell someone the details about someone or something. Please fill me in on what happened last night. Please fill in the committee on the details.

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fill something in

 

1. to add material to an indentation, hole, etc., to make it full. You had better fill the crack in with something before you paint the wall. You should fill in the cracks first.

2. Fig. to write in the blank spaces on a paper; to write on a form. (See also Fill in the blanks) Please fill this form in. I will fill in the form for you.

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fill in (for somebody)

to do someone else's job temporarily He discovered his love of acting when he filled in for a sick friend in a college play.

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fill somebody in

also fill in somebody

to give someone information that they want or need We filled her in on all the latest family news. I've asked Andy to fill in the marketing team about plans for the fall.

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fill in something

also fill something in

1. to give written answers to questions on a computer or on paper Fill in the entire form and then click “submit.” If you have left out a date, first name, or other information, fill it in.

2. to complete a plan or idea That's the basic idea, but we still have a lot of details to fill in.

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fill in

1. Complete something, especially by supplying more information or detail. For example, Be sure to fill in your salary history. It is also put as fill in the blanks, as in We'll rely on Mary to fill in the blanks. Yet another related usage is fill someone in, as in I couldn't attend, so will you fill me in? The first term dates from the mid-1800s; the others from the first half of the 1900s. Also see fill out.

2. Also, fill in for. Take someone's place, substitute for. For example, The understudy had to fill in at the last minute, or I can't come but my wife will fill in for me. Also see fill someone's shoes.

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fill in

v.

1. To provide someone with essential or newly acquired information: I didn't receive the information in the mail—could you fill me in? Please fill in the new secretary about our rules.

2. To provide something, especially required information, in written form or on a document: The applicant filled the answers in on the registration form. The students filled in the test forms.

3. To cover completely the bounded surface of something: Fill in all the rectangles on the page with blue ink. The artist filled all the stencils in with pastels.

4. To act as a substitute; stand in: When I was sick, my colleague filled in. The understudy filled in for the sick actor last night.

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