in (someone's or something's) place
1. Literally, in someone's or something's physical location. Hey, you're in my place! You know I always sit here! You can't put the television in the sofa's place—it messes up the whole décor of the room! What are you doing in my place? You're not even on stage yet in this scene!
2. Instead of someone or something else; as a substitute for someone or something. Janet is really sick, so I'm going to lead the meeting in her place. After our dog died, my parents got me a pet hamster in its place. I know you're still reeling from your break-up, but instead of just seeing someone in Jack's place, why not take some time to grieve what you two had?
in place
1. adjective In the correct position or arrangement. Everyone needs to be in place before the show begins. Hey, don't touch those figurines! I finally have them in place, and I don't want to have to redo the whole thing. Who set the table? Because none of the silverware is in place.
2. adjective Ready to be put into action. We finally have the legislation in place to tackle this issue once and for all. I think everything is in place for us to begin the acquisition deal. We have to get all these documents scanned before we can put the new filing system in place.
3. adverb Without moving from the current location. I usually have the kids run in place and do jumping jacks to warm up before gym class. I need to you stand in place while I set up the rest of the photoshoot. One of the training wheels has gotten stuck on the curb, so her back wheel is just spinning in place.
4. adverb Without making much or any progress. The company has been somewhat stuck in place in recent years, failing to recapture the incredible popularity and success of their first product. I haven't been able to prove my hypothesis after weeks of experiments. It feels like I've been running in place this whole time. I've felt stuck in place ever since my boyfriend and I broke up. I mean, I thought I was going to marry that man!
in someone else's place
set phrase Imagining oneself in the situation or circumstances of another person so as to understand or empathize with their perspective, opinion, or point of view. If you haven't spent time in someone else's place, how can you judge them? You're so selfish! Do you ever put yourself in someone else's place? Because none of us can ever actually be in someone else's place, we can never truly know what they're going through.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
in place
1. In the appropriate or usual position or order. For example,
With everything in place, she started the slide show. [Mid-1500s] Also see
put someone in his or her place.
2. In the same spot, without advancing or retreating, as in While marching in place, the band played six more numbers.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
in place
1. In the appropriate or usual position or order: With everything in place, she started the slide show.
2. In the same spot; without moving forwards or backwards: While marching in place, the band played a popular tune.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.