Creep up Meaning in English
expression
ˈkɹip/ /ˈəp
KREEP-uhp
kɹˈiːp/ /ˈʌp
kreep-UP
Definition
To move quietly and slowly towards someone or something, often unnoticed; also, to increase gradually without being noticed at first.
Usage & Nuances
Informal and often used for both literal movement (like sneaking up on someone) and metaphorical growth (like prices or feelings 'creeping up'). Common collocations: 'creep up on', 'costs creep up', 'darkness crept up'. Not usually used for sudden or large changes.
Spanish: acercarse sigilosamente - aumentar gradualmentePortuguese (BR): aproximar-se de mansinho - aumentar aos poucosPortuguese (PT): aproximar-se sorrateiramente - aumentar gradualmenteChinese (Simplified): 悄悄靠近 - 逐渐上升Chinese (Traditional): 悄悄靠近 - 逐漸上升Hindi: धीरे-धीरे आना - धीरे-धीरे बढ़नाArabic: يتسلل - يرتفع تدريجياًBengali: চুপিসারে এগিয়ে আসা - ধীরে ধীরে বাড়তে থাকাRussian: подкрадываться - незаметно увеличиватьсяJapanese: そっと近づく - じわじわ増えるVietnamese: lén lút tiến lại gần - tăng lên từ từKorean: 살며시 다가가다 - 서서히 오르다Turkish: sessizce yaklaşmak - yavaşça artmakUrdu: آہستہ آنا - چپکے سے بڑھناIndonesian: merayap pelan-pelan - naik perlahan-lahan
Example Sentences
The cat tried to creep up on the bird.
basic
Prices have started to creep up lately.
basic
Sometimes, sadness can creep up on you without warning.
basic
Darkness started to creep up as the sun went down.
natural
The deadline seemed far away, but it really crept up on me!
natural
Watch out, stress can creep up if you don’t take breaks.
natural