What does "creep up" mean?

To approach gradually without notice For time or events to approach stealthily.

How do you use "creep up" in a sentence?

The deadline crept up on me. Old age creeps up on you. Christmas is creeping up.

Phrasal Verb BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★☆ Common Neutral

Meaning: To approach gradually without notice

悄悄逼近

Acercarse gradualmente sin darse cuenta

気づかないうちに忍び寄る

어느새 다가오다

For time or events to approach stealthily.

时间或事件不知不觉地临近。

Que el tiempo o los eventos se aproximen sigilosamente.

時間やイベントがひそかに近づくこと。

시간이나 사건이 눈치채지 못하는 사이에 서서히 다가오다.

Base verb: creep

Particle: up

Separable: No — the verb and particle stay together

The deadline crept up on me.
截止日期不知不觉就到了
El plazo me pilló desprevenido
締め切りがいつの間にか迫っていた
마감이 어느새 코앞에 와 있었다.
Old age creeps up on you.
人不知不觉就老了
La vejez te llega sin darte cuenta
老いはいつの間にか忍び寄る
노화는 어느새 찾아온다.
Christmas is creeping up.
圣诞节悄悄临近了
La Navidad se acerca sigilosamente
クリスマスがひそかに近づいている
크리스마스가 슬그머니 다가오고 있다.

Context: approach, surprise, time

Tone: sneaky

From creeping or moving stealthily.

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal