creep (redirected from creeps)

*out of the woodwork

Fig. out into the open from other places or a place of concealment. (*Typically: bring someone or something ~; come ~; creep ~.) When the cake appeared, all the office people suddenly came out of the woodwork.

See also: out, woodwork

creep across something 

1. Lit. to move across something slowly and carefully; to sneak across something. The soldiers crept slowly across the rope bridge. The cat crept across the floor, stalking the mouse.

2. Fig. [for light, fog, etc.] to move slowly across a place or an area. A heavy fog crept across the coastal areas. The spotlight crept across the stage from one side to the other, as if looking for the performer.

See also: across

creep along something

to move along something slowly and carefully; to sneak along something. Creep along the side of the building until you reach the door. The cat crept along the narrow kitchen counter.

See also: along

creep away

to travel away slowly and carefully; to sneak away. The boys were completely ashamed and crept away. The cat crept away quietly.

See also: away

creep by

Fig. [for time] to pass slowly. The minutes crept by as I awaited Mrs. Barron's telephone call. I know the days will creep by until we finally get our test results.

creep in (to something)

to go into something or a place slowly and carefully; to sneak into something or a place. The cat crept into the bedroom. Max planned to creep into the house and take cash and jewelry.

creep out (of something)

to go out of something or a place slowly and carefully; to sneak out of something or a place. A little mouse crept out of the cupboard. The fox crept out of the henhouse, carrying a chicken.

See also: out

creep over someone or something 

1. Lit. [for something, such as an insect] to walk or crawl over someone or something. A huge ant crept over me, and I just lay there.

2. Fig. [for darkness] to move slowly over someone or something. The shadows crept over the picnic and made everyone realize what time it was. Dusk crept over us.

creep under something

to move slowly and carefully underneath something; to sneak underneath something. The dog crept under the table to escape punishment. The chipmunk crept under a pile of leaves and disappeared.

creep up

[for darkness] to move gradually and slowly [toward someone or something]. Dusk crept up and swallowed us in darkness.

See also: up

make someone's flesh crawl and make someone's skin crawl

to cause someone's skin to feel funny or get goose pimples through fright. Just to hear the story of the killings made my flesh crawl. The horror movie made our skin crawl.

See also: crawl, flesh, make

When poverty comes in at the door, love flies out of the window. and When the wolf comes in at the door, love creeps out of the window.

Prov. If a couple gets married because they are in love, but they do not have enough money, they will stop loving each other when the money runs out. You young folks may think you can live on love alone, but when poverty comes in at the door, love flies out of the window. After Susan lost her job, she and her unemployed husband had a big argument. When the wolf comes in at the door, love creeps out of the window.

See also: come, flies, love, out, poverty, window

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give somebody the creeps/willies  (informal)

to make you feel frightened and anxious, especially when there is no real reason for this This old house gives me the creeps. I've never liked spiders - they give me the willies.

See also: give

make somebody's flesh crawl/creep

if someone or something makes your flesh creep, you think they are extremely unpleasant or frightening (often in present tenses) Spiders and insects really make my flesh crawl. I hate that guy in accounts, he makes my flesh creep.

See also: crawl, flesh, make

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give you the creeps

1. to make you feel frightened or nervous give you the willies This old house gives me the creeps.

2. to cause someone to feel dislike or disgust My neighbor gives me the creeps.

Usage notes: also used in the form get the creeps: The moment she met Billy, she got the creeps.

See also: give