step-in
1 of 2noun
ˈstep-ˌin 
: an article of clothing put on by being stepped into: such as
a
: a shoe resembling but usually having a higher vamp than a pump and having concealed elastic to adjust the fit
b
: short panties for women —usually used in plural
step-in adjective
step in
2 of 2verb
stepped in; stepping in; steps in
intransitive verb
1
a
: to intervene in an affair or dispute
b
: to act as a replacement
2
: to make a brief informal visit
Synonyms
Verb
- call
- come by
- come over
- drop by
- drop in
- pop (in)
- run (over)
- run in
- stop (by or in)
- visit
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb I just stepped in to say hi on my way to class. couldn't find anyone to step in for me so that I could take a break from my caregiving duties
Word History
First Known Use
Noun
1921, in the meaning defined above
Verb
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
steps in
verb
1
as in visits
to make a brief visit I just stepped in to say hi on my way to class Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- visits
- drops in
- runs in
- drops by
- calls
- comes over
- runs (over)
- comes by
- stops (by or in)
- looks up
- sees
- pops (in)
- haunts
- barges (in)
- bops (into)
- happens (by)
- frequents
- resorts (to)
- hangs (at)
2
as in substitutes
to serve as a replacement usually for a time only couldn't find anyone to step in for me so that I could take a break from my caregiving duties Synonyms & Similar Words
- substitutes
- stands in
- fills in
- spells
- takes over
- covers
- subs
- pinch-hits
- understudies
- relieves
- doubles (as)