ˌcreepy-ˈcrawly BrE AmE noun ( plural creepy-crawlies ) [countable] informal
an insect, especially one that you are frightened of
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THESAURUS
▪ insect a small creature such as a fly or ant, that has six legs, and sometimes wings:
Head lice are tiny insects that live in the hair.
▪ bug a small insect:
What are those little bugs in my roses?
▪ creepy-crawly informal an insect, especially one that you are frightened of:
The mattress was covered in creepy-crawlies.
▪ aphid technical a small insect that lives on the juice of plants and destroys them:
The leaves have been attacked by aphids.