crept away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "crept away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something moving away quietly or stealthily, often to avoid being noticed. Example: "After the argument, she quietly crept away from the group, not wanting to draw any more attention to herself."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

"But finally, I crept away, with the words 'possibly dirty, very likely gone-bad prosciutto' nagging me".

The New York Times - Books

The only survivors were those who hid under dead bodies and crept away, once night had fallen.

The Guardian - Opinion

As I say, a girl from the village: totally unspoilt.' Chanu went on talking but Nazneen crept away, back to bed.

The Guardian - Books

When Zaka released him, with a forceful declaration that he would get it if he told anyone about their conversation, Kasparov crept away.

The New Yorker

So the western crept away, and it began to be appreciated that the old mythology had harboured a pack of lies anyway.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Herzog creeps away.

The New Yorker

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

The Guardian

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

The Guardian

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

The Guardian

But Nascar is creeping away from the southeastern United States, the sport's maternity ward.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "crept away" to vividly depict a character's stealthy or reluctant departure from a scene, emphasizing their desire to avoid detection or confrontation.

Common error

Avoid using "crept away" when a simple 'left' or 'departed' would suffice. "Crept away" implies a specific manner of leaving – quietly and often secretively – so ensure the context warrants this nuance.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "crept away" is a phrasal verb, acting as the predicate in a sentence to describe a subject's action. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase details a specific type of movement characterized by quietness and stealth.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "crept away" is a phrasal verb indicating a quiet and stealthy departure. As Ludwig highlights, this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure the context warrants the implication of secrecy or caution. Alternatives such as "slipped away" or "quietly departed" may be more appropriate depending on the desired nuance. With a neutral register and consistent usage across authoritative sources, "crept away" is a valuable addition to any writer's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slipped away

Implies a smooth, almost unnoticeable departure.

sneaked away

Suggests a secretive departure, often to avoid detection or disapproval.

stole away

Similar to 'sneaked away' but can also imply a romantic or illicit departure.

quietly departed

A more formal and neutral way to describe leaving without attracting attention.

furtively retreated

Emphasizes the secretive and cautious nature of the departure.

tiptoed off

Suggests a very quiet and careful departure, often to avoid waking someone.

slinked off

Implies a stealthy and sometimes evasive departure, often associated with animals.

sidled away

Describes moving sideways and quietly, often to avoid confrontation.

eased away

Suggests a gradual and gentle movement away from something or someone.

discreetly withdrew

A formal way of saying someone left quietly and without causing a disturbance.

FAQs

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

The phrase "crept away" describes someone moving quietly and cautiously to avoid being noticed. For example, "The cat crept away from the sleeping dog."

What's a good alternative to "crept away"?

Alternatives include "slipped away", "sneaked away", or "quietly departed", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use "crept away"?

While grammatically correct, using "crept away" might be inappropriate if the context doesn't involve stealth or a desire to avoid attention. In those cases, simpler terms like 'left' or 'withdrew' might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "crept away" and "slipped away"?

"Crept away" suggests a slow, cautious movement, possibly on hands and knees. "Slipped away", on the other hand, implies a smoother, more effortless departure.