crawl away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "crawl away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something moving away slowly and with difficulty, often in a manner that suggests weakness or defeat. Example: "After the argument, he felt so defeated that he just wanted to crawl away and hide."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He managed to crawl away.

The Guardian

As he tried to crawl away?

The New York Times - Magazine

He wanted to crawl away and leave this place.

Harvard University

Our local snakes crawl away and will not attack you".

The New York Times

They will crawl away and kill themselves, most likely.

The Guardian

And I think the baby tried to crawl away, but it died, too.

The New Yorker

After he went down, he was shot in the thigh as he tried to crawl away.

The New York Times

Seconds later, a wounded man, trying to crawl away, was shot again at point-blank range.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The babies crawled away!

The New York Times - Books

They were interrupted and the snakes crawled away.

The New Yorker

The swaying wrestling match continues until one male concedes defeat and crawls away.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "crawl away", consider the context and the subject's physical or emotional state. This phrase is most effective when depicting weakness, injury, or a desire to escape unnoticed.

Common error

Avoid using "crawl away" in formal or professional writing where a more neutral term like "retreat" or "withdraw" would be more appropriate. "Crawl away" often carries a connotation of weakness or defeat that might not be suitable.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "crawl away" is that of an intransitive phrasal verb. It describes an action performed by a subject, indicating movement away from something, as shown by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

11%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "crawl away" is a commonly used phrasal verb that describes a retreat, typically under conditions of duress or vulnerability. As Ludwig AI explains, it’s grammatically sound and versatile, appearing frequently in news and media, and less so in formal academic or business settings. When writing, use "crawl away" to depict physical or emotional withdrawal, but avoid it in formal contexts where alternatives like "retreat slowly" might be more suitable. The examples from Ludwig demonstrate its broad application in illustrating escape from difficult situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

drag oneself away

Highlights the effort and difficulty involved in moving away.

creep away

Implies a stealthy, quiet movement to avoid detection.

withdraw slowly

A more formal way of saying "crawl away" that retains the meaning of careful retreat.

inch away

Emphasizes the extremely slow and gradual nature of the movement.

retreat slowly

Focuses on the act of withdrawing, emphasizing the slowness of the movement.

limp away

Indicates a departure with an injury or physical impediment.

scuttle off

Suggests a quick, scurrying departure, often due to fear or embarrassment.

shuffle away

Suggests a slow, unsteady movement, often associated with old age or weakness.

slither away

Suggests a snake-like movement, often used metaphorically to describe a cunning or evasive departure.

fall back

Military context: indicates an organized movement away from the enemy.

FAQs

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

You can use "crawl away" to describe someone moving slowly and with difficulty, often due to injury or exhaustion. For example: "After the explosion, the wounded soldier could only "crawl away" from the wreckage."

What's a more formal alternative to "crawl away"?

In formal contexts, consider using alternatives such as "retreat slowly" or "withdraw carefully" which convey a similar meaning without the connotation of weakness.

What does it mean when someone wants to "crawl away"?

When someone wants to ""crawl away"", it usually indicates a desire to escape from an uncomfortable, dangerous, or overwhelming situation. It suggests feeling vulnerable and wanting to avoid further confrontation or exposure.

Is "crawl away" always a literal action?

No, ""crawl away"" can also be used metaphorically to describe someone distancing themselves emotionally or mentally from a situation. For example: "After the harsh criticism, he wanted to "crawl away" and never return."