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Definition of creep up on phrasal verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

creep up on

phrasal verb
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creep up on somebody
  1. to move slowly nearer to somebody, usually from behind, without being seen or heard
    • Don't creep up on me like that!
    • The cat quietly crept up on the pigeon.
  2. to begin to affect somebody, especially before they realize it
    • Tiredness can easily creep up on you while you're driving.
    • Fatigue was creeping up on him.
See creep up on in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

Nearby words

ripple effect
noun
 
 
From the Topic
Change, cause and effect
C2
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