WHO likes creepy crawlies? They are detestable and revolting. Some of these “creepy crawly” expressions have crept into the English Language to enrich it. Here are some common expressions that you can use to add some life to your speech.

1. Bug

A tiny hidden microphone.

If someone bugs a place, they hide a tiny microphone in it which transmits what people are saying.

His hotel room telephone was bugged.

If you are bitten by the travel bug it means you love to travel.

Being bitten by the travel bug, Rose is always travelling around the world.

3. Butterflies in your stomach

If you have butterflies in your stomach, you are feeling very nervous.

Gina had butterflies in her stomach before she went on stage to perform.

4. Spidery

If you describe something like handwriting as spidery, you mean it consists of thin, dark, pointed lines.

I recognise her spidery writing on the card.

5. Moth-eaten

If you describe something as moth-eaten you mean that it is unattractive or useless because it is old or worn out.

The moth-eaten night club has lost its glamour.

6. Leech

Someone who is described as a leech deliberately depends on other people, often making money out of them.

Felix is a leech who likes to prey on rich women.

7. Fly on the wall

If you say you would like to be a fly on the wall in a situation that does not involve you, you mean that you would like to see or hear what happens in that situation.

I would love to be a fly on the wall when Mimi finds out her Gucci handbag is an imitation.

8. Worm

If you say someone worms their way into someone’s affection, you disapprove of the way that they are making someone trust them, often in order to deceive them or gain some advantage.

She managed to worm her way into the confidence of her manager.

9. A can of worms

If someone opens a can of worms, they are planning to do or talk about something which is more complicated or difficult than they realise.

When he ventured into business without capital, he opened a can of worms.

10. Bee

A social event where people get together for a competition.

Pam won the first prize in a spelling bee.

11. Waspish

A waspish remark or sense of humour is sharp and critical.

His waspish remarks can offend people.

12. Slug

If you take a slug of alcoholic drink, you take a large mouthful of it.

After taking a slug of brandy he was tipsy.

If you slug someone you hit them hard.

The guard tried to slug the thief who snatched a girl’s wallet.

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