creep up
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To advance or increase with stealth, unnoticed (literally or figuratively).
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
The lioness has to creep up behind her prey so as not to be noticed.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “creep up” mean?
To advance or increase with stealth, unnoticed (literally or figuratively).
Is “creep up” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.