1 B2 neutral
Of people: to press in around someone from all sides, making them feel trapped or uncomfortable.
"The journalists crowded in on the celebrity as she left the courtroom."
inseparable
crowd in on
B2 neutral inseparable transitive
To press in around someone from all sides, creating a feeling of being overwhelmed or suffocated, either physically or emotionally.
In plain English
When people or feelings press in on you from all sides and make you feel trapped or overwhelmed.
What does "crowd in on" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
Of thoughts, problems, or fears: to press upon someone in an overwhelming way.
"Late at night, his anxieties would crowd in on him and make sleep impossible."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
A crowd pressing in toward a person from all sides.
Actually means
When people or feelings press in on you from all sides and make you feel trapped or overwhelmed.
Usage tip
Often used figuratively to describe thoughts, problems, or anxieties that feel overwhelming. The physical sense is less common than the figurative one.
Words that pair with "crowd in on"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
thoughts fears problems memories worries people
How to conjugate "crowd in on"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
crowd in on
I/you/we/they
3rd person
crowds in on
he/she/it
Past simple
crowded in on
yesterday
Past participle
crowded in on
have + pp
-ing form
crowding in on
continuous
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