I think the OP wanted simplification, not just removal of $foo. I offer: 
$_ = $foo;
s/frog/toad/g;
s/man/boy/;
s/woman/girl/;

[download]
One could then assign $_ back to $foo or use $_ directly as in print;

--traveler

In reply to Re: multiple (different) substitutions on same $foo by traveler
in thread multiple (different) substitutions on same $foo by jonnyfolk

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