supersub

Late-match savior

A supersub is a substitute player, typically in soccer, who frequently scores or changes the game's momentum after coming off the bench.

The term celebrates players whose impact exceeds what their limited playing time might suggest: He's earned a reputation as a supersub, scoring twice in the final ten minutes.

Sometimes used more broadly for any highly effective replacement.

theater

understudy

Backup actor, ready nightly

standbyReady substitute awaiting use
swingSuspended recreational seat
coverProtect by overlaying

replacement · rehearsal · performance · role · cast · stage · Broadway · emergency · debut · notice

workplace

temp

Provisional worker, briefly

locumTemporary professional replacement
fill-inTemporary substitute person
reliefEasing of distress

cover · replacement · standby · on-call · agency · short-term · flexible · contractor · freelance · casual

notation

subscript

Text below the line

inferiorOf lower rank
baselineStandard for comparison
typographyArranging letters for display

formula · chemical · mathematical · index · variable · coefficient · H₂O · exponent · superscript · character

soccer

bench

Shared seating surface

impactForceful contact or consequence
latecomerPerson arriving past time
goalscorerPlayer who scores goals

winner · cameo · matchday · striker · winger · manager · squad · introduction · momentum · equalizer

Opposites

playing role

supersubstarter

Initiator of action

first eleven · starting eleven · ever-present · franchise player

impact level

supersubbench warmer

Seldom-used team member

makeweight · passenger · dud

player quality/status

supersubmakeweight

Added mass for balance

reserve · journeyman · backup · afterthought

Family

super, sub, substitute, substitutes, substitution, subdue, subject, submarine, submerge

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Timeless · Concrete · Positive · Rated G