creeping
Related to creeping: creeping Charlie
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
creep along (something)
To move slowly, and often stealthily, across a particular area or surface. The robber crept along the walkway and then opened a window to get into the house. When I saw the bee creeping along the windowsill, I bolted out of the room.
See also: creep
creep away
To move slowly, and often stealthily, away from someone or something. I froze when I saw the bee on the windowsill, but luckily, it crept away. I crept away after stealing the cookies off the counter.
See also: away, creep
creep by
To move slowly, as of time. Time feels like it's just creeping by in that class because it's so boring.
See also: by, creep
creep in
To enter some thing or place slowly and/or stealthily. I may have allowed my personal feelings to creep in when I gave that job to my brother. Luckily, Mom didn't hear us last night when we crept in after curfew.
See also: creep
creep into
To enter some place stealthily. I'll watch the door while you creep into the lab and steal the poison. That possum must have crept into the basement while the door was open.
See also: creep
creep on (someone or something)
slang To observe, investigate, or become overly familiar with someone or their personal matters in an intrusive or undesirable manner. I felt a little weird creeping on all his social media posts like that, but I wanted to know what he was like was before going on a date with him. Some guy in the corner has been creeping on us all night long. Let's go ask the bouncer to deal with him.
See also: creep, on
creep out
1. To exit slowly and often stealthily. The cat crept out from under the bush to see if the dog was gone.
2. slang To make someone feel uneasy. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is commonly used between "creep" and "out." I'm OK with most bugs, but centipedes just creep me out, man. That guy in the corner was really creeping us out, so we decided to leave.
See also: creep, out
creep over (someone or something)
To move slowly, and often stealthily, across a particular area or surface. The sunlight crept over my face and woke me up. When I saw the bee creeping over my textbook, I leapt from my seat.
See also: creep, over
creep under (something)
To move slowly, and often stealthily, under something. The cat crept under the bush and stayed there until the dog was gone.
See also: creep
creep up
1. To approach someone or something slowly and often stealthily. I crept up behind my brother and startled him.
2. To encroach (upon one or something) gradually over time. It wasn't until I sat down that I realized how much exhaustion had crept up on me. The weeds have been really creeping up on the edge of the yard over the last few years.
See also: creep, up
creep up on (someone or something)
1. To approach someone or something slowly and often stealthily. I crept up on my brother from behind and startled him.
2. To encroach (upon one or something) gradually over time. It wasn't until I sat down that I realized how much exhaustion had crept up on me. The weeds have been really creeping up on the edge of the yard over the last few years.
See also: creep, on, up
creeping crud
An unknown or unidentified illness, often a rash. I think you better get that creeping crud checked out by a doctor—it's not looking so good.
See also: creeping, crud
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
creep away
to travel away slowly and carefully; to sneak away. The boys were completely ashamed and crept away. The cat crept away quietly.
See also: away, creep
creep by
Fig. [for time] to pass slowly. The minutes crept by as I awaited Mrs. Barron's telephone call. I know the days will creep by until we finally get our test results.
See also: by, creep
creep in (to something)
to go into something or a place slowly and carefully; to sneak into something or a place. The cat crept into the bedroom. Max planned to creep into the house and take cash and jewelry.
See also: creep
creep out
(from under someone or something) Go to out (from under someone or something).
See also: creep, out
creep out (of something)
to go out of something or a place slowly and carefully; to sneak out of something or a place. A little mouse crept out of the cupboard. The fox crept out of the henhouse, carrying a chicken.
See also: creep, out
creep up
[for darkness] to move gradually and slowly [toward someone or something]. Dusk crept up and swallowed us in darkness.
See also: creep, up
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
creeping-crud
1. n. any unidentified disease. There is some kind of creeping-crud between my toes.
2. n. a repellent person. Willy has become such a creeping-crud since he inherited all that money.
3. n. any nasty, slimy substance. That’s not creeping-crud! That’s pecan pie!
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
- creep across
- creep across (something)
- crept
- cut across
- cut across (something)
- glide
- glide across
- glide across (something)
- crawl across
- crawl across (something)