creep across

creep across (something)

To move slowly, and often stealthily, across a particular area or surface. The robber crept across the lawn and then opened a window to get into the house. When I saw the bee creeping across the windowsill, I bolted out of the room. The sunlight crept across my face and woke me up.
See also: across, creep
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

creep across something

 
1. Lit. to move across something slowly and carefully; to sneak across something. The soldiers crept slowly across the rope bridge. The cat crept across the floor, stalking the mouse.
2. Fig. [for light, fog, etc.] to move slowly across a place or an area. A heavy fog crept across the coastal areas. The spotlight crept across the stage from one side to the other, as if looking for the performer.
See also: across, creep
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • creep across (something)
  • creeping
  • crept
  • cut across
  • cut across (something)
  • glide
  • glide across
  • glide across (something)
  • crawl across
  • crawl across (something)
References in classic literature
As his gaze rested there quite steadily for some moments I saw recognition tinged with awe creep across his countenance.
Pellucidar
Finally, after much hesitation and fear, he got down on his knees and began very cautiously to creep across the surface of the ice.
Tiptoeing through life..!
The first thing to know about The Language of Thorns is that it is beautiful--beautiful imagery conceived from precise, beautiful prose; beautiful cover image and interior illustrations that creep across each page toward a beautiful consummation; beautiful lands inhabited by beautiful hearts.
Bardugo, Leigh. The Language of Thorns: Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic
Throughout the month of October, eerie jack-o'-lanterns spring up and copious cobwebs creep across houses from coast to coast.  Stage  a small-scale celebration of the season with these skull-motif watches, which go from spooky to simply stylish come November 1.
Spooky Skull Watches For Halloween
The country is set to be hit by heavy winds and rain at the end of the week as both hurricanes creep across the North Atlantic.
UK to be hit by aftermath of hurricanes; IN BRIEF
In a pulsating last quarter, the Eagles raised their game when they needed it most to creep across the line 83-78.
Newcastle Eagles edge rematch of last season's BBL Cup Final in thrilling fashion; With the scores tied in the dying seconds, Rahmon Fletcher steals in to earn quarter-final win for Newcastle Eagles over Glasgow Rocks
Even at Pluto's estimated surface temperature of around -380 F, nitrogen ice can creep across the surface of the planet's icy plain, which has been informally named "Sputnik Planum," located in Pluto's heart, the "Tombaugh Regio." http://bit.ly/1fAcDh2
Top articles trending online
If you happen to be the millionth finisher of the Great North Run on September 7, don't imagine for one minute that you will be able to creep across the line in South Shields unnoticed.
FIRST SAY
If this is not done, the ivy will creep across the ground before starting its climb at a point the gardener never intended.
The curious life cycle of little ivy
Though, as a quick and very nonscientific poll across my chosen selection of the DiasBoro this morning confirms, it wasn't until Boro were up four-one that most admitted that they allowed themselves the 'surely they can't come back from this' thought to creep across their minds!
Mogga can take the positives; THE BORO BLOGGERS:
"This implies an increase of 5.5 annual deaths for the county." As bag bans creep across the nation, expect to see more deaths in the service of feel-good green legislation.
Bag bans kill: paper, plastic--or death?
Maddy trapped Chris Rogers lbw and Dawid Malan edged Patel to second slip, but as the evening shadows began to creep across the turf it became increasingly likely that this match can be diverted from stale-mate only by a declaration by Rogers.
BEARS STRUGGLE UNDER PRESSURE; CRICKET
For the next several hours, Venus will slowly creep across the solar disk, and the view will not change much from one minute to the next.
Venus transit to be witnessed by North and Central America on June 5
That suggests that someone has spent ages actively trying to break through levels of security to get to the messages - as if they had to scale a high fence, crawl across open ground swept by floodlights, pick a lock, open a creaky door next to a salivating but sleeping guard dog, then creep across a floor and work, sweat dripping from brow, to open a combination safe by pressing a stethoscope to the side, and then escaping with the contents.
Phone hacking - it's not hacking and it's not clever
Only then did a smile creep across Terry's face as he embraced his teammate.
Off the pitch, his private life is in disarray.. on the pitch it's business as usual for JT