Crawling with Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈkɹɔɫɪŋ/ /ˈwɪð/, /ˈwɪθ/, /wɪð/, /wɪθ

KRAW-ling with

UK

kɹˈɔːlɪŋ/ /wˈɪð

kraw-LING with

Definition

Used to say that a place has a very large number of something, usually unwanted or surprising, moving or present everywhere.

Usage & Nuances

Usually informal. Common for unwanted things like insects, police, or people. Not used with positive things. Often takes 'with' plus plural noun: 'crawling with ants', 'crawling with tourists'. Avoid using for single objects or in formal writing.

• Spanish: lleno de - plagado de
• Portuguese (BR): cheio de - infestado de
• Portuguese (PT): cheio de - repleto de
• Chinese (Simplified): 到处都是 - 密密麻麻的
• Chinese (Traditional): 到處都是 - 密密麻麻的
• Hindi: से भरा हुआ
• Arabic: مليء بـ - يكتظ بـ
• Bengali: ভরে গেছে - উপচে পড়ছে - ভর্তি (অবাঞ্ছিত কিছু দিয়ে)
• Russian: кишеть - быть переполненным (чем-то нежелательным)
• Japanese: うじゃうじゃいる - いっぱい（不快なもので）
• Vietnamese: đầy ắp - lúc nhúc (với thứ gì đó không mong muốn)
• Korean: 득실거리다 - 가득하다 (원치 않는 것으로)
• Turkish: kaynamak - dolup taşmak (istenmeyen şeylerle)
• Urdu: بھرا ہوا ہونا - اٹا پڑا ہونا (ناپسندیدہ چیزوں سے)
• Indonesian: dipenuhi - penuh sesak (dengan sesuatu yang tidak diinginkan)

Example Sentences

The kitchen is crawling with ants.

basic

The park was crawling with kids.

basic

The old bread was crawling with mold.

basic

This place is crawling with tourists every summer.

natural

The hotel lobby was crawling with reporters after the news broke.

natural

After the accident, the street was crawling with police.

natural