crawl with
B1 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words
To be so full of things (usually bugs or people) that they seem to be moving all over the surface.
Literal meaning: To crawl means to move slowly on hands and knees — if a place 'crawls with' something, it is as if the very ground is crawling because of the mass of creatures or people.
Meanings
1 B1
idiomatic
neutral
To be completely covered with insects, vermin, or other creatures in large numbers.
"The old kitchen was crawling with cockroaches when we first moved in."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B1
idiomatic
neutral
To be extremely crowded with people, in a way that feels overwhelming or unpleasant.
"The square was crawling with tourists snapping photos at every corner."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Always used with a subject (the place or thing) + 'crawl with' + the thing covering it. Typically implies an unpleasant, overwhelming density. Common in both British and American English.
Commonly used with
insects tourists ants vermin police reporters
Forms
Base
crawl with
I/you/we/they
3rd person
crawls with
he/she/it
Past simple
crawled with
yesterday
Past participle
crawled with
have + pp
-ing form
crawling with
continuous
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Synonyms
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