a long crawl

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a long crawl" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a slow or tedious movement, often in a physical context or metaphorically to indicate a slow progress. Example: "After the heavy rain, the traffic turned into a long crawl, making the commute much longer than usual."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

If you can find one that is not stranded in a snow bank, expect a long crawl to your destination.

The New York Times

Lobo Antunes's cohorts helplessly watch their nation's collapse from idealism into self-indulgence, and even surrender to it themselves during a boozy reunion that takes them on a long crawl through bars and brothels.

The New Yorker

She emerged wearing a sleek black pantsuit with silvery trim, and climbed into a black S.U.V. for a long crawl crosstown, which gave her ample time for an interview.

The New York Times - Arts

The Big Ten faces a long, crawl back.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

She cast back to the sensation of her chlorinated hair in a dripping elastic-banded ponytail on the long crawl back to recover the bag from the bus depot.

The Guardian - Books

In the men's draw, del Potro hopes to create a stir after a long, slow crawl back to playing the game that lifted him to No. 4 in the world after he won the Open in 2009.

The New York Times - Sports

During the book's long crawl to the page, no fewer than 12 publishers rejected it.

The New York Times

The long crawl to 18 at the end of 17 days' play is one of sport's cruellest delights".

The Guardian - Sport

I left Planetarium with my head in the ether, and started to make the long crawl back to Queens.

Huffington Post

FoLGBT Cliff Joannou on ​Twitterights

Vice

Nebuchadnezzar (c1795-1805) is a startling colour print of a grand old man with a long beard, crawling on his hands and knees.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a long crawl" to vividly describe situations involving slow and arduous progress, whether physical or metaphorical. Consider the connotations of effort and difficulty when choosing this phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "a long crawl" when describing actions that are meant to be quick or efficient. The phrase inherently implies slowness and difficulty, so it would be unsuitable for scenarios where speed is desired.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a long crawl" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or an object of a preposition. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression describes a tedious journey or slow advancement.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a long crawl" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a slow, difficult, and often tedious movement or progression. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is primarily found in News & Media contexts. While not exceedingly common, it effectively conveys the sense of effort and duration involved in a particular undertaking. When considering related phrases, options like "a slow advance" or "a protracted struggle" can offer similar meanings. When using "a long crawl", ensure the context aligns with the intended connotation of slowness and difficulty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slow advance

Focuses on the slowness of the movement, replacing "crawl" with a more general term for forward movement.

a protracted struggle

Emphasizes the difficulty and duration of the effort involved, shifting the focus from physical movement to the overall challenge.

a gradual ascent

Highlights the slow and steady nature of the climb, suitable when describing progress against resistance.

a labored progression

Emphasizes the effort required to make progress, suitable for situations involving difficulty and strain.

a sluggish climb

Depicts a slow climb due to an obstruction.

a tedious journey

Replaces the physical aspect of crawling with a sense of boredom and weariness during a trip.

a grinding process

Highlights the arduous nature of the process.

a snail's pace movement

Uses a simile to describe very slow advancement.

an extended delay

Focuses on the prolonging of a situation or event.

a creeping development

Indicates a slow and almost imperceptible growth or unfolding.

FAQs

How can I use "a long crawl" in a sentence?

You can use "a long crawl" to describe a slow and difficult movement or progression. For example, "The traffic turned into a long crawl after the accident."

What phrases are similar to "a long crawl"?

Similar phrases include "a slow advance", "a protracted struggle", or "a tedious journey".

Is it grammatically correct to say "a long crawl"?

Yes, the phrase "a long crawl" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe something progressing slowly and laboriously.

What is the difference between "a long crawl" and "a short crawl"?

"A long crawl" implies a slow and extended movement or progression, while "a short crawl" suggests a slow movement of limited duration or distance.