crowd (on) sail
nautical To spread the sail so that a vessel moves faster. We need to crowd sail if we want to reach the port before nightfall. Come on, fellas, crowd on sail so we're not still out here when that storm rolls through. A: "Any chance we can speed 'er up?" B: "Yeah, have the crew crowd sail."
crowd (one)
informal To harass, pressure, or assail one. The detectives tried crowding the suspect for a confession, but he wouldn't say a word. My anxiety has been crowding me so much lately that I can barely get anything done. Would you quit crowding me? You know, the more you annoy me, the less likely I am to pick you for the promotion!
crowd (someone or something) out of (something)
To push someone or something out of a certain thing or area, or to force out by increased proximity. The cat crowded the dog out of his bed and curled up for a nap. When that busload of people showed up, they practically crowded us out of the lobby! A: "Why did you take the subway here by yourself?" B: "Because Becky decided to come at the last minute, and she crowded me out of the carpool."
crowd around (someone or something)
To gather around someone or something. The kids all crowded around the teacher for story time. Good luck getting any food with so many people crowding around the buffet! Protestors crowded around the senator, demanding his resignation over the scandal.
crowd in
1. To gather closely around someone or something. Often followed by "on" and then a particular person or thing. When the teacher announced story time, the kids all crowded in. I hate when people crowd in on a buffet as soon as it's served. Reporters crowded in on the famous actor as he left the courtroom.
2. To fill a space with more people than it can reasonably hold or accommodate. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "crowd" and "in." We can't crowd in anyone else, unless we move the lecture to the auditorium. They crowded us all in the tiny van instead of paying for a second one. When the governor gave his address in the town square, thousands of people crowded in.
crowd into (something or some place)
1. To fill into a certain place or area up to or beyond its normal limit, especially in a rough or disorderly manner. We tried to crowd into the lecture hall, but the professor told us it was filled to capacity. Thousands of people crowded into the town square to hear the governor's address. The concertgoers who've crowded into the area directly in front of the stage are already pushing and shoving each other.
2. To fill a space with more people than it can reasonably hold or accommodate. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "crowd" and "into." We can't crowd anyone else into the movie theater for health and safety reasons. They crowded us all into the tiny van instead of simply paying for a second one. It's dangerous to crowd more than 15 students into the lab at a time.
crowd out
1. To push or force someone or something out of a certain thing or area by taking up space. A noun or pronoun can be used between "crowd" and "out." A bunch of people poured into the room, crowding out those of us who were already there. The cat crowded the dog out of his bed and curled up for a nap. A: "Why did you take the subway here by yourself?" B: "Because Becky decided to come at the last minute, and she crowded me out of the carpool."
2. To cause someone or something to no longer be successful or viable in a certain environment due to an overabundance or oversaturation of similar people or things. A noun or pronoun can be used between "crowd" and "out." There are so many services like theirs already on the market that the company got crowded out almost immediately. The influx of people looking to make a quick buck as a freelance editor has started crowding more seasoned professionals out of the market. A: "There's five coffee shops in a three-block radius, and he wants to open another one." B: "I know. I can't believe he doesn't see that he's already been crowded out!"
crowd the mourners
To pressure or try to influence someone. If you crowd the mourners, no one will help you. It's clear the other members of the party are trying to crowd the mourners into supporting their legislation. Would you stop trying to crowd the mourners? We already said we're not going!
crowd through
To push or force one's way through a certain thing or area. As soon as the store opened its doors, the people waiting in line began to crowd through. There are concertgoers already trying to crowd through to the area directly in front of the stage. One at a time, please! You all can't just crowd though!
crowd together
1. To move close together. We were so cold while waiting in line that we crowded together for warmth. Yeah, I can take a picture of you guys, but everybody has to crowd together to fit in the shot. The passengers crowded together to board the bus as soon as it pulled up.
2. To position things close together. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "crowd" and "together." I tried crowding all of my clothes together to make room for my jacket, but it still wouldn't fit in the suitcase. Why do they always crowd cubicles together? Give us some breathing room, please! No, don't crowd those pictures together—it just makes the room look cluttered.
crowd up
1. To gather together into a crowd. People started crowded up in front of the store as early as 6 AM ahead of their huge Black Friday sale. The passengers crowded up to board the bus as soon as it arrived. There are concertgoers already trying to crowd up in the area directly in front of the stage.
2. To gather or force people together in a crowd. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "crowd" and "up." The guards crowded us up like cattle to transport us to the new maximum security facility. We can't just waltz right in there—Security is going to crowd us up and let us through in groups. Crowd up, kids, so we can take a headcount before boarding the bus.
crowd with (someone or something)
To fill something with more than it can reasonably hold or accommodate. A noun or pronoun can be used between "crowd" and "with." Because this room is totally crowded with people, we're moving everyone into the auditorium. I had crowded my suitcase with so much stuff that I couldn't get it closed. When the governor gave his address, the town square was crowded with thousands of people.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.