tick

tick¹ [tık] n

[Sense: 1,3-5; Date: 1200-1300; Origin: Origin unknown.]

[Sense: 2; Origin: Old English ticia]

1.) BrE

a mark written next to an answer, something on a list etc, to show that it is correct or has been dealt with

American Equivalent: check

▪ Put a tick in the box if you agree with this statement.

→↑cross² (2b)

2.)

a very small animal like an insect that lives under the skin of other animals and sucks their blood

3.) [singular]

the short repeated sound that a clock or watch makes every second

4.) spoken especially BrE a very short time

= ↑moment

▪ I'll be with you in a tick (=soon) .

▪ It'll only take two ticks.

5.) on tick

BrE informal old-fashioned if you buy something on tick, you arrange to take it now and pay later

= ↑credit

tick ²

tick² v

1.) [i]also tick away

if a clock or watch ticks, it makes a short repeated sound

▪ The old clock ticked noisily.

2.) [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.

3.) 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<=>off] phr v

1.) 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.

2.) 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?

3.) AmE informal to annoy someone

▪ Her attitude is really ticking me off.

4.) 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

1.) if an engine ticks over, it works while the vehicle is not moving

▪ Mark left the engine ticking over and went back inside.

2.) 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.