The phrase "be crawling with" is an idiomatic expression commonly used to describe a place or situation that is teeming with a large number or overwhelming quantity of something, usually referring to living organisms or objects. It implies an abundance that is almost excessive or unpleasant.
When a place or area is said to be "crawling with" something, it means that it is heavily populated, swarming, or overflowing with that particular thing. It suggests a state of being completely infested, inundated, or overrun with a particular species or item.
The usage of "crawling with" often conveys a negative connotation, indicating an overwhelming, undesirable, or unpleasant presence. For example, one might say that a city street is crawling with rats, implying an excessive and undesirable rat population. Likewise, a garden infested with insects can be described as crawling with bugs, emphasizing the sheer number and pervasiveness of the unwanted creatures.
The phrase "be crawling with" can be used figuratively as well, to describe an overwhelming quantity of non-living things, such as saying that a desk is crawling with papers, illustrating a disorganized mess with an excessive number of documents present.
Overall, "be crawling with" is a vivid expression that emphasizes an excessive, overwhelming, and often problematic quantity or population of something in a particular place or situation.
