crawling back to

USAGE SUMMARY

"crawling back to" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to someone returning to a person or situation after a period of absence, often implying regret or humility. Example: After the argument, he found himself crawling back to his old friends for support. Alternative expressions include "returning to" and "coming back to."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

And so I go crawling back to AA.

Princeton University

"We're still just crawling back to where we started".

The New York Times

"Just don't come crawling back to me when you fail".

The New Yorker

"Now I'm crawling back to the corporate dog bowl".

The New York Times

I'm not going to come crawling back to him.

The Guardian

"They'll make this recipe, and then they'll come crawling back to Coke," he told Mr. Glass.

The New York Times

Or will he be crawling back to the Beeb for his old job?

The Guardian - Film

Anyone who thought we'd be crawling back to Brussels with a begging bowl can think again".

The Guardian

But crawling back to darling Josh is futile, because he's already chosen to sow some wild oats of his own.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The barfly crawls back to his seat.

The New York Times

I crawled back to the classroom.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "crawling back to" when you want to emphasize a return that is reluctant, perhaps after a failure or a period of estrangement. It conveys a sense of humility or defeat.

Common error

While "crawling back to" is vivid, avoid it in formal writing where a more neutral term like "returning to" or "reverting to" would be more appropriate. The phrase can sound overly dramatic or emotive for professional communications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "crawling back to" functions as a phrasal verb expressing a return to a previous state, person, or place. It often implies a sense of defeat, humility, or regret, as shown in the Ludwig examples. The context dictates the specific nuance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

13%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "crawling back to" is a phrasal verb signifying a return often marked by humility or defeat. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across diverse sources, particularly in news and media. While versatile, its emotive tone suggests caution in formal contexts, favoring alternatives like "returning to" for neutral scenarios. This expression, with its strong implications, is best used when you specifically want to convey a reluctant or burdened return.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

crawling back

Shortened phrase, missing the destination. The nuance slightly changes. If someone simply "crawls back", it implies a defeated or desperate return.

coming back to

This alternative is a simple and direct way of saying returning, without the implication of struggle.

going back to

A straightforward substitute, focusing on the action of returning rather than the manner.

returning to

This alternative provides a more neutral way to express going back, lacking the negative connotations of defeat.

slinking back to

Similar in meaning, but emphasizes stealth and shame in the return.

retreating to

This suggests a strategic withdrawal to a previous position, implying a tactical decision.

reverting to

This suggests a return to a former condition or behavior, often one considered less desirable.

limping back to

This suggests a return marked by weakness or injury, highlighting the difficulty of the return.

relapsing into

This implies returning to a negative state or habit, adding a layer of negativity.

begging for forgiveness

This emphasizes seeking reconciliation. The nuance strongly changes, implying a plea for absolution from someone.

FAQs

What does "crawling back to" mean?

The phrase "crawling back to" describes returning to someone or something, usually after a period of absence or failure, often implying humility or desperation.

How can I use "crawling back to" in a sentence?

You can use "crawling back to" to describe someone returning to a job, a relationship, or a situation after trying something else and failing. For example, "After his business failed, he was "crawling back to" his old employer".

What are some alternatives to "crawling back to"?

Alternatives to "crawling back to" include "returning to", "coming back to", or "going back to", depending on the context and the nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "crawling back to" versus "returning to"?

"Crawling back to" suggests a sense of defeat or humility, implying that the return is less than ideal. Use "returning to" as a more neutral term when the circumstances don't necessarily involve failure or regret. For example, "After the project, he returned to his original team" is neutral, whereas "After the failed project, he was "crawling back to" his original team" emphasizes a negative experience.