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to be crawling with sth
01
to be filled with a large number of something, often to the point of being overwhelming
What is the origin of the idiom "be crawling with something" and when to use it?
The origin of the idiom "be crawling with something" is not precisely documented, but it likely comes from the idea of a surface covered with many small creatures. It is used when a place or object is filled with something, often implying an overwhelming quantity. People use it informally to emphasize a noticeable presence of people, animals, things, or concepts.
Example
The abandoned building was crawling with spiders, creating a spooky atmosphere.
After the rain, the garden was crawling with earthworms, a sign of healthy soil.
The old barn was crawling with mice, prompting the need for pest control.
The picnic area was crawling with ants, making it challenging to enjoy the outdoors.
During the summer, the beach is crawling with tourists from all over the world.
