Phrasal verbs with “creep” in English
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What does the word “Creep” mean in English?
Let’s examine the word “creep” [kriːp] in English. It can be used as a verb (meaning to move slowly and carefully in order to avoid being noticed) and as a noun (meaning a slow movement or an unpleasant person). It is an irregular verb, and its forms are presented in the table below.
Infinitive | Past Simple | Past Participle |
to creep | crept | crept |
Consider “creep” as a phrasal verb with examples and their meanings.
Phrasal verbs with “creep” in English
Creep in
- Meaning: To enter gradually and often surreptitiously into a place.
- Example: “The fog began to creep in from the sea, covering the coastline.”
- Meaning: Start to be noticeable
- Example: “Mistakes started to creep in.”
Creep out on
- Meaning: To do the same activity for a very long time.
- Example: “He’s been creeping out on that computer game all day.”
Creep over
- Meaning: Start to have a negative feeling.
- Example: “Fear crept over me as I walked through the graveyard.”
Creep up on
- Meaning: Approach without someone realising.
- Example: “The exams just seemed to creep up on me”.
Creep out
- Meaning: To cause someone to feel uneasy or uncomfortable, often due to strange or unpleasant behavior.
- Example: “The abandoned building really creeps me out with its creaking sounds.”
Creep up (on/upon)
- Meaning: To approach quietly or unnoticed.
- Example: “She didn’t notice him until he crept up on her from behind.”
Creep away
- Meaning: To move quietly and carefully away from a place or situation.
- Example: “He decided to creep away from the boring meeting and go for a walk outside.”
Creep along
- Meaning: To move slowly and stealthily.
- Example: “The cat crept along the edge of the room, watching for any movement.”
Creep into
- Meaning: To gradually become a part of something. Become noticeable in something.
- Example: “Doubts began to creep into his mind as he heard the unsettling news.”
Creep out of
- Meaning: To exit quietly or furtively from a place.
- Example: “He crept out of the party without saying goodbye to anyone.”
Creep by
- Meaning: To pass by slowly and unnoticed.
- Example: “Time seemed to creep by as she waited anxiously for the test results.”
Creep through
- Meaning: To move cautiously through a narrow space.
- Example: “They had to creep through the dense forest to avoid being seen.”
Creep forward
- Meaning: To advance slowly and carefully.
- Example: “The troops crept forward under the cover of darkness.”
Creep off
- Meaning: To sneak away quietly.
- Example: “He crept off to bed while everyone else was still chatting.”
Creep around
- Meaning: To move quietly and cautiously around a place.
- Example: “The spy crept around the enemy base, trying to gather information.”
Creep about
- Meaning: To move secretly and stealthily.
- Example: “The thieves were creeping about in the shadows, planning their next move.”
Creep down
- Meaning: To descend slowly and quietly.
- Example: “As night fell, a chill began to creep down from the mountains.”
Creep past
- Meaning: To move quietly past someone or something.
- Example: “She tried to creep past her boss’s office without being noticed.”
Phrasal verbs with “creep” in English have various meanings related to slow, cautious movement or gradual approach/manifestation of something. Some phrasal verbs, such as “creep up on” and “creep away,” describe the physical movement of a person or animal. Others, such as “creep in” and “creep into,” refer to more abstract concepts such as the emergence of thoughts, feelings, or changes.