Definition

Verb (intransitive) 1. To advance or approach slowly, stealthily, or imperceptibly: To move closer gradually and often without being noticed. 2. To increase or accumulate gradually over time: Often used for abstract concepts like age, costs, or feelings that increase slowly.

Usage

This verb phrase describes a slow, often unnoticed approach or increase. It is intransitive and does not take a direct object. It is commonly followed by the prepositions "on" or "to" to indicate the target of the approach. * Use "creep up on" when something approaches a person or thing stealthily or when an abstract condition (like age, tiredness) affects someone gradually. * Use "creep up to" when something slowly approaches a specific level, value, or location.

Examples

• Literal Movement:
• Abstract Increase:
• Approaching a Level:
• Stealthy Approach:

Advanced Usage

• "Creep up on" can personify time or abstract concepts, suggesting they sneak up like a person.
  • You don't feel yourself getting older; it just creeps up on you.
• In financial or statistical contexts, it describes a slow, steady rise.
  • Inflation has been creeping up for the last three quarters.

Variants and Related Words

• Creep (verb): To move slowly and carefully, often close to the ground. The core meaning from which "creep up" is derived.
  • The baby learned to creep across the carpet.
• Creeping (adjective): Describing something that spreads or advances slowly.
  • A creeping sense of doubt affected his confidence.

Synonyms

• Approach stealthily: Sneak up on, steal up on.
• Increase gradually: Inch up, edge up, rise slowly.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Catch up (with): To reach someone or something that is ahead. Differs from "creep up" as it implies a faster pace to close a gap, not a stealthy approach.
  • I ran to catch up with my friends.
• Come up: To approach or draw near. More general and neutral, lacking the connotation of stealth or imperceptibility.
  • A problem came up during the meeting.

Related Idioms

• Creep into: To enter or appear gradually and often undesirably.
  • Mistakes began to creep into his work as he grew tired.
• Give someone the creeps: To cause a feeling of fear or disgust. This idiom uses the noun form "creeps" and is semantically distinct from the verb phrase "creep up."
  • That old, empty house gives me the creeps.

Verb

1. advance stealthily or unnoticed
   • Age creeps up on you