Phrasal verbs "creep up" vs "cross up"

Differences between creep up and cross up

Creep up means to approach or move slowly and quietly, often in a sneaky or unnoticed way. Cross up means to cause confusion or difficulty by changing plans or expectations.

Meanings and Definitions: creep up vs cross up

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Creep up

  • 1Gradually increase.

    The number of missing people has crept up to 40.

Cross up

  • 1Confuse, deceive.

    The treasure map was deliberately drawn to CROSS us UP.

Usage Examples: creep up, cross up in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

creep up

Example

The temperature started to creep up as summer approached.

Example

The cost of living creeps up every year.

cross up

Example

The magician tried to cross up the audience with his tricks.

Example

She crosses up her opponents with her clever strategies.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Creep up

sneak up on

To approach someone or something quietly and unexpectedly.

Example

The cat sneaked up on the bird and caught it before it could fly away.

To slowly and steadily become more significant or noticeable over time.

Example

The cost of living has been gradually increasing over the past few years.

To appear or become visible, especially after being hidden or unnoticed.

Example

As the fog lifted, the outline of the mountain began to emerge from the clouds.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Cross up

To cause problems or difficulties by changing plans or expectations.

Example

The sudden rainstorm threw a wrench in our plans for a picnic.

mess up

To make a mistake or cause confusion by doing something incorrectly or unexpectedly.

Example

He messed up the recipe by adding too much salt.

mix up

To confuse or mistake one thing for another.

Example

I always mix up the names of my coworkers who look similar.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “cross”

Phrasal Verbs with “up”

Differences in creep up vs cross up: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: creep up or cross up?

In everyday conversation, creep up is more commonly used than cross up. This is because creep up can be used in a variety of situations, while cross up is more specific and less frequently used.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of creep up and cross up

Creep up and cross up are both informal phrases that are suitable for casual conversations with friends and family. However, cross up may be slightly more formal than creep up because it is less common and more specific.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of creep up and cross up

The tone of creep up is often associated with something sneaky or unexpected, while cross up is associated with confusion or frustration.

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