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to creep up on
01
to move slowly and gradually toward someone or something without being noticed
Grammatical Information
Composition
phrasal
Movement verb
Regular
Inseparable
Particle
up on
Base verb
creep
Present tense
creep up on
3rd person singular
creeps up on
Present participle
creeping up on
Past simple
crept up on
Past participle
crept up on
Examples
Trying not to spoil the surprise, Sarah had to carefully creep up on her friend's house to join the birthday celebration unnoticed.
02
(of a date or an event) to come or happen sooner than one was expecting
Examples
The deadline for the project crept up on us, catching us by surprise.
03
to gradually experience a feeling, state, etc. in a more clear and noticeable manner
Examples
As he celebrated his 40th birthday, the awareness of getting older crept up on him, and he reflected on the passing of time.
