english
1
general::
noun
crawl:
We will creep up to them quietly.
Simple Definitions
2
general::
In addition to the idiom beginning with CREEP, Also see MAKE ONE'S FLESH CREEP; THE CREEPS.
American Heritage Idioms
3
general::
creep up on/behind sb
to surprise someone by moving closer to them without them seeing or hearing you
• Don't creep up on me like that!
• We crept up behind her and yelled "Boo!", creep in/creep into sth
1. mainly UK If mistakes creep in or creep into a piece of text, they are included despite efforts not to include them
• A few mistakes always creep in during the editing process.
• One or two typing errors crept into the report., creep in/creep into sth
2. to gradually start to be noticeable
• Doubts began to creep into my mind about the likely success of the project., creep up on sb
If a feeling or state creeps up on someone, they start to experience it so gradually that they do not realise it
• It was only after I turned 60 that old age began to creep up on me., creep over sb
If a bad feeling creeps over someone, they gradually start to feel it
• A dangerous tiredness crept over her as she drove., creep up
If the value or amount of something creeps up, it slowly increases
• Over the last year, the rate of inflation has crept up to almost 7%.
Cambridge-Phrasal Verbs
4
general::
verb ADV. quietly | slowly | stealthily | about, around, back, in, out, up I could hear someone creeping around downstairs. He crept up behind me. PREP. along He crept stealthily along the corridor. | down, into (figurative) Suspicion crept into her voice. | over (figurative) A feeling of dread crept over him. | out of, up on The cat quietly crept up on the pigeon. (figurative) Fatigue was creeping up on her.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary