See Also: tick 2, verb(dictionary)
tick(1)(dictionary)
tick(7)(dictionary)
tick(3)(dictionary)
tick(2)(dictionary)
Up Tick(money)
Zero plus tick(finance)
Zero-plus tick(money)
Up tick(finance)
Down Tick(money)

tick 2, verb (oh)



2 v
[I] also tick away
if a clock or watch ticks, it makes a short repeated sound
::The old clock ticked noisily.
[T] BrE to mark a test, list of questions etc with a tick, in order to show that something is correct, to choose something etc
American Equivalent: check
::Tick the description that best fits you.
::Just tick the box on your order form.
what makes sb tick
informal the thoughts, feelings, opinions etc that give someone their character or make them behave in a particular way
::I've never really understood what makes her tick.
tick away/by/past phr v
if time ticks away, by, or past, it passes, especially when you are waiting for something to happen
::We need a decision - time's ticking away.
::The minutes ticked past and still she didn't call.
tick off [tick sb/sth ¡û¡ú off] phr v
BrE informal to tell someone angrily that you are annoyed with them or disapprove of them
::Mrs Watts will tick you off if you're late again.
BrE to mark the things on a list with a tick to show that they have been dealt with, chosen etc
American Equivalent: check off
::As you finish each task, tick it off.
::Have you ticked off Kate's name on the list?
AmE informal to annoy someone
::Her attitude is really ticking me off.
AmE to tell someone a list of things, especially when you touch a different finger as you say each thing on the list
::Carville began ticking off points on his fingers.
tick over phr v
if an engine ticks over, it works while the vehicle is not moving
::Mark left the engine ticking over and went back inside.
if a system, business etc ticks over, it continues working but without producing very much or without much happening
::The business is just about ticking over.
::Jane will keep things ticking over while I'm away.