crawled off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "crawled off" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something moving away slowly and laboriously, often in a way that suggests exhaustion or injury. Example: "After the long race, he crawled off the track, too tired to stand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

They've just crawled off into a corner and infiltrated television.

The New York Times

The motorcade crawled off toward the cemetery, and the streets of Bedford-Stuyvesant slowly emptied out.

The New York Times

When they crawled off in tears, he'd return them to the ice.

The New Yorker

Then the hearse and the trailing cars crawled off to the cemetery and the end of a police officer's funeral.

The New York Times

Then he crawled off through the weeds and disappeared into the trees, leaving Lee alone to watch the farm.

The New Yorker

Two small boys were reportedly thrown on a fire, then when they crawled off, thrown on again.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

As she crawls off, he continues dancing, and his obliviousness is funny but also disturbing.

The New York Times - Arts

Did anyone ever really think Keith Richards would crawl off quietly to Bournemouth on his 65th birthday?

The Guardian - Opinion

Always dead — or else weak and sleepy, crawling off to a permanent halt behind the chest of drawers.

The New Yorker

"Outrage as man with cerebral palsy was forced to crawl off plane," ran one headline in the U.K. "Severely disabled man on plane crawls down aisle," read another.

Independent

He caught his studs in the turf, extended his medial ligament and found himself crawling off the pitch in agony.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "crawled off" to vividly depict movement that is slow, labored, and often suggestive of weakness or injury. It's particularly effective in creating a strong visual image for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "crawled off" in professional or formal writing where a more neutral term like "retreated" or "withdrew" would be more appropriate. Its informal nature can detract from the seriousness of the subject matter.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "crawled off" primarily functions as a descriptor of movement, typically indicating a slow, labored, and often reluctant departure. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage to depict physical exertion or distress during movement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "crawled off" describes moving away slowly and laboriously, usually suggesting exhaustion or injury. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and common use, and is observed primarily in News & Media and Scientific contexts. While grammatically sound, consider the register of your writing; more formal terms may be better suited for professional or academic work. When used appropriately, "crawled off" paints a vivid picture of weakness or distress. For alternatives, consider phrases such as ""limped away"" or ""retreated slowly"".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moved away laboriously

Focuses on the effort and difficulty involved in moving.

dragged oneself away

Emphasizes the physical effort and exhaustion involved in moving.

slithered away

Suggests a snake-like movement, often implying stealth or a low profile.

crept away

Highlights a slow, stealthy, and secretive manner of movement.

limped away

Implies an injury or disability affecting movement.

retreated slowly

A more formal way of saying moving back or away, but emphasizing slowness.

scooted away

Suggests a quick, shuffling movement, often on the buttocks.

edged away

Indicates a slow, cautious movement, often to avoid attention.

withdrew gradually

Emphasizes a measured and controlled movement back or away.

shifted away

Suggests a slight movement away, possibly to create distance or avoid contact.

FAQs

How can I use "crawled off" in a sentence?

You can use "crawled off" to describe someone or something moving slowly and with difficulty, often due to injury or exhaustion. For example: "After the explosion, the injured soldier "dragged himself away" from the wreckage."

What are some alternatives to "crawled off"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "slithered away", "limped away", or "retreated slowly". The best choice depends on the specific image you want to convey.

Is "crawled off" considered formal or informal?

"Crawled off" leans towards the informal side. In professional or academic writing, consider more formal options like "withdrew gradually" or "moved away laboriously" for a more appropriate tone.

What's the difference between "crawled off" and "crawled away"?

While similar, "crawled off" often implies a specific destination or purpose (even if vague), whereas "crawled away" simply denotes movement away from a starting point. "He crawled off the stage" suggests he was getting off the stage in a crawling motion. "He crawled away from the fire" simply indicates movement away from the fire.