creep
A person who acts in a strange or bad way that makes other people feel very uncomfortable or unsafe.
A person, often a man, whose behavior is socially disturbing and makes others feel uncomfortable, unsafe, or disgusted.
To move very slowly and quietly so that other people or animals do not see or hear you.
To move slowly, quietly, and carefully, usually close to the ground, in order not to be seen or heard.
A very strong bad feeling of fear or disgust, usually said as "the creeps".
An intense, uncomfortable feeling of fear, disgust, or nervousness, especially caused by something strange, scary, or unpleasant. Usually used in the fixed phrase "the creeps".
To move or happen very slowly, so it feels like it is taking a long time.
To move or go extremely slowly, often so slowly that it feels frustrating or as if time is passing very slowly.
To start slowly and quietly, and then grow little by little so people do not see it at first, often in a bad way.
To begin to exist, be felt, or be present, and then slowly increase, especially in a way that is not easily noticed at first and is often unwanted.
A slow and steady rise or growth in something, often a bad or unplanned increase, for example in work or prices.
A slow, steady, and usually unwanted increase or expansion in size, amount, or activity, especially in costs, responsibilities, or project goals.
- Base: creep
- Plural: creep, creeps
- Base: creep
- 3rd Person Singular: creeps
- Present Participle: creeping
- Past: crept
- Past Participle: crept
- Irregular past: crept Verb
- Irregular past participle: crept Verb
creep by
1time passes very slowly
To pass very slowly, used especially about time that feels long and boring.
- The minutes crept by as we waited for the results.
- The afternoon crept by and still no one called.
- The final days before the holiday always seem to creep by.
creep in
1start to exist gradually
To start to be present slowly and quietly, often without people noticing and often in a bad way, for example mistakes or small changes.
- A few small errors crept in during the last round of editing.
- Doubt began to creep in as they waited for news.
- Over time, bad habits can creep in if you stop paying attention.
creep out
1make someone feel scared or sick
To make someone feel very uncomfortable, scared, or disgusted.
- That horror movie really creeped me out.
- He creeps out my friends when he stares like that.
- The empty streets at night totally creep me out.
creep over
1feeling slowly covers someone
For a feeling, such as fear, calm, or tiredness, to slowly cover and affect all of a person.
- A strange calm crept over her as she spoke.
- A feeling of panic crept over the crowd.
- Sleepiness crept over him during the long lecture.
creep up
1increase slowly and gradually
To rise or go up slowly and by small amounts, for example prices, numbers, or rates.
- Prices have been creeping up for months.
- The unemployment rate is creeping up again.
- Her weight crept up over the holidays.
creep up on
1approach or affect unexpectedly and slowly
To move close to a person without them seeing you, or for something like time, age, or a feeling to affect you slowly so that you do not notice it at first.
- He crept up on his brother and shouted "boo!" in his ear.
- Old age can creep up on you if you do not stay active.
- Exhaustion crept up on her after weeks of late nights.
get the creeps
1suddenly feel very uncomfortable
To suddenly feel very uncomfortable, scared, or disgusted because of something strange or scary.
- I get the creeps every time I walk past that house.
- She got the creeps when she heard footsteps behind her.
- Do you ever get the creeps in big empty buildings?
give someone the creeps
1make someone feel very uncomfortable
To make someone feel very uncomfortable, scared, or disgusted in a strong way.
- That abandoned hotel gives me the creeps.
- The way he smiles gives her the creeps.
- Old hospitals always give some people the creeps.
give someone the creeps
1make someone feel uneasy
to make someone feel scared or uncomfortable
- That abandoned playground at night gives me the creeps.
- He gives me the creeps, so I avoid being alone with him.
- The way the door kept opening by itself gave everyone the creeps.
- Spiders give me the creeps.
- This place gives me the creeps.
mission creep
1gradual expansion of mission goals
A slow increase in what a group or organization is trying to do, so that it does more than its first clear goal.
- Critics warn that keeping troops there could lead to mission creep.
- The charity's work has grown, and some staff worry about mission creep.
- We must avoid mission creep and stay focused on our main target.
price creep
1slow increase in prices
A slow and steady rise in prices over time.
- Consumers are starting to notice price creep in basic foods.
- There has been quiet price creep in the housing market this year.
- The report highlights years of price creep in energy bills.
scope creep
1slow unplanned growth of project work
A slow and unplanned increase in the work or goals of a project, usually making it take more time and money.
- We need to control scope creep if we want to finish on time.
- Scope creep has added several extra features to the app.
- Clear requirements at the start can help avoid scope creep.