creep away

USAGE SUMMARY

"creep away" is a valid and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to refer to the act of moving slowly and quietly away from a place or person. For example, "She slowly crept away without making a sound."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Weather and News bulletin', and you creep away".

The Guardian

It didn't seem right to creep away without a word to Emma.

The New York Times

So while companies may creep away from carbon, they still depend on it.

The Guardian

I creep away from the muddy path, through snagging brambles and naked hazel.

The Guardian

Triple Canopy is an online magazine and a collective, both of which have a healthy tendency to creep away from monitors, toward the street.

The New Yorker

I figured it was safer to creep away, than to make a fuss and disgust people with the reality of my condition.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Herzog creeps away.

The New Yorker

"May Allah bless you," the man said, then crept away.

The New York Times - Magazine

Even if your sanity crept away before you did?

The Washington Post

Unannounced, a truck came in the night; it loaded up the covered cage and crept away.

The New York Times

He creeps away from the Alving house like a scuttling rat escaping a sinking ship.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "creep away" to describe a quiet, cautious departure, especially when avoiding attention or detection is important. For example, use it to describe someone leaving a room to avoid waking someone or to leave a meeting unnoticed.

Common error

Avoid using "creep away" in situations that require a more direct or assertive departure. It's unsuitable when describing a confident or hurried exit. Opt for phrases like "leave" or "exit" in those cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "creep away" functions primarily as an intransitive phrasal verb, describing a type of movement. It combines the verb 'creep' with the particle 'away' to indicate a slow, quiet, and often stealthy departure. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Wiki

12%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "creep away" is a commonly used phrasal verb that describes a quiet and cautious departure, often to avoid detection. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and used in a variety of contexts, primarily in news and media. While generally neutral to informal, it's best to avoid in formal contexts, opting for alternatives like "quietly withdraw". When using "creep away", ensure the context aligns with its meaning of stealth and discretion. You can "sneak away" from the dinner table using the expression "creep away".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sneak away

Implies a more secretive or stealthy departure than "creep away".

slip away

Suggests a smooth, almost unnoticed departure, less cautious than "creep away".

quietly withdraw

More formal, emphasizing the lack of noise or disturbance during the departure.

stealthily retreat

Emphasizes the secretive and strategic nature of the departure.

softly depart

Focuses on the gentleness and lack of sound in leaving.

subtly move away

Highlights the understated and almost imperceptible nature of the movement.

furtively abscond

A more dramatic term suggesting a secretive and often illicit departure.

gradually distance oneself

Describes a slow and progressive separation, less abrupt than "creep away".

ease oneself out

Suggests a gentle and careful extraction from a situation or place.

fade into the background

Implies becoming unnoticed and then leaving, emphasizing obscurity.

FAQs

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

You can use "creep away" to describe someone moving slowly and quietly to avoid being noticed. For example, "The child tried to "sneak away" from the dinner table without permission."

What is a good alternative to "creep away"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "creep away" include "slip away", "sneak away", or "quietly withdraw". Each emphasizes a slightly different aspect of the departure.

What does it mean to "creep away"?

"Creep away" means to move slowly, quietly, and carefully, typically to avoid being seen or heard. It suggests a stealthy or cautious departure.

Is "creep away" formal or informal?

"Creep away" is generally considered informal. In more formal contexts, consider using phrases such as "quietly withdraw" or "discreetly leave".