ein|springen
Translation
to step in, to fill in, to substitute
Examples
Mein Kollege ist für mich eingesprungen.
My colleague stepped in for me.
Kannst du morgen für mich einspringen?
Can you fill in for me tomorrow?
Grammar Patterns
((for sb.)) to step in for sb. My colleague stepped in for me.
Similar Words
vertreten (to represent/substitute), aushelfen (to help out)
Etymology
From 'ein-' (in) + 'springen' (to jump). Literally 'to jump in', which is very close to the English idiom 'to step in'.
Memory Tips
Picture someone literally 'jumping in' to a situation to take over for someone else.