The phrase "crawled with" is spelled with the /ɔːld/ diphthong. The first sound is an open-mid back rounded vowel /ɔː/ and the second sound is a dark L sound /l̴/. This phrase means to have a lot of something, often something considered undesirable, such as insects or bacteria. For example, "the old barn crawled with spiders." It is important to use correct spelling and pronunciation to effectively communicate and avoid confusion.
The phrase "crawled with" is an idiomatic expression used to describe a situation or place that is teeming or swarming with a large number of creatures, insects, or people. It implies a sense of abundance and overwhelming presence. The word "crawled" in this context depicts the movement of numerous individuals or organisms creeping or moving clumsily, resembling the motion of crawling.
When applied to living organisms, such as insects, animals, or people, the phrase "crawled with" suggests a density or population that surpasses normal levels. For instance, a garden infested with insects can be described as "crawled with pests," or a city street bustling with pedestrians can be said to be "crawled with people."
Moreover, "crawled with" may be used abstractly to describe situations in which something is densely packed or filled beyond expectation. It can be applied to large masses of objects or general characteristics, such as a document "crawled with spelling errors" or a presentation "crawled with technical difficulties," signifying an overwhelming number or magnitude of problems or flaws.
Overall, the phrase "crawled with" conveys a vivid image of an environment or situation brimming with an excessive number of organisms, people, or objects, often to the point of congestion or intensity.
The phrase "crawled with" is an idiomatic expression whose etymology can be traced back to the verb "crawl". "Crawl" originated from the Old English word "crawlian", which meant "to move slowly on all fours" or "to creep". Over time, it developed into the Middle English word "crawlen", still with the same meaning. The use of "crawl" to describe the movement of insects or small creatures is attested in English as early as the 14th century.
The specific phrase "crawled with" emerged in the 19th century as a figurative expression to describe a large number or abundance of something, often insects or pests. It implies the idea of something being infested or densely populated with crawling or creeping creatures. For example, you might say, "The old barn was crawling with rats" or "The picnic area was crawling with ants".