creep up on
phrasal verb
crept up on; creeping up on; creeps up on
informal
: to slowly and quietly move closer to (someone) without being noticed
We tried to creep up on them but they heard our footsteps.
—often used figurativelyOld age creeps up on us.
The deadline had crept up on them.
Examples of creep up on in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Still, it’s been hard to ignore the daunting finality that has been creeping up on us for years.
—
Don Riddell, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2025
After being swept by the Marlins over the weekend, the Yankees will look to rebound against a surging Rangers team that is creeping up on them in the wild card standings.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025
Daytime high temperatures will creep up on Saturday and Sunday, reaching the low 80s across some valleys and foothills east of Interstate 15.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 July 2025
While patrolling her territory on her second day in the field, Kelsey crept up on a warthog.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for creep up on
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Don Riddell, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2025
After being swept by the Marlins over the weekend, the Yankees will look to rebound against a surging Rangers team that is creeping up on them in the wild card standings.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025
Daytime high temperatures will creep up on Saturday and Sunday, reaching the low 80s across some valleys and foothills east of Interstate 15.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 July 2025
While patrolling her territory on her second day in the field, Kelsey crept up on a warthog.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for creep up on
Cite this Entry
“Creep up on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/creep%20up%20on. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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