english
1
general::
In addition to the idiom beginning with TICK, Also see CLOCK IS TICKING; TIGHT AS A TICK; WHAT MAKES ONE TICK.
American Heritage Idioms
2
general::
tick sb off
ANNOY
2. US informal to annoy someone
• It really ticks me off when she doesn't keep her promises., tick over
ENGINE
2. If the engine of a vehicle is ticking over, the engine is operating slowly although the vehicle is not moving
• I've left the car with the engine ticking over., tick sb off
SPEAK SEVERELY
1. [ M ] UK informal to speak severely to and criticize someone who has done something wrong
• I had to tick him off for being late again., tick away/by
If time ticks away/by, it goes past
• With the final seconds ticking away, Milan scored a goal., tick over
ACTIVITY
1. If a business, job or system is ticking over, it continues to work but makes little progress
• I'll be able to keep things ticking over in the office until you get back.
Cambridge-Phrasal Verbs
3
general::
verb of a clock, etc. ADV. loudly | relentlessly | away The clock ticked relentlessly away on the mantelpiece. mark sth with a tick ADV. simply To take advantage of this extra bonus offer, simply tick the box on your order form. | mentally | off She mentally ticked off the names of the people she had already spoken to. PHRASAL VERBS tick along/over ADV. nicely The business is ticking over nicely at the moment. | still PHRASES keep things ticking over Morrison had kept things ticking over in my absence.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
4
general::
noun
click:
I could hear the tick of the clock.
verb
passed:
The time ticked away.
verb
counted:
The meter ticked off the miles.
Simple Definitions