A poor substitute for the feel of his arms around her.

This is another case where photographs are a poor substitute.

A poor substitute for a "real" present from someone else?

Wouldn't anyone who took your place be a poor substitute?

Don't try to dress up a poor substitute for the real thing.

But he knew that would have been a poor substitute for her independent love.

I too see a committee of wise men as a poor substitute.

Kissing each of her hands would have to do for now, and a poor substitute it was to be sure.

She hadn't had a hit in hours and gin was a poor substitute.

It has been said that outside show is a poor substitute for inner worth.