tick
tick /t'ɪk/ (ticks ticking ticked)
1 [N-COUNT]
A tick is a written mark like a V: . It is used to show that something is correct or has been selected or dealt with. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use check)
Place a tick in the appropriate box.
2 [VERB] V n
If you tick something that is written on a piece of paper, you put a tick next to it. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use check)
Please tick this box if you do not wish to receive such mailings...
3 [VERB] V
When a clock or watch ticks, it makes a regular series of short sounds as it works.
A wind-up clock ticked busily from the kitchen counter.
[PHRASAL VERB] V P
Tick away means the same as tick.
A grandfather clock ticked away in a corner.
● ticking [N-UNCOUNT] oft N of n
...the endless ticking of clocks.
4 [N-COUNT]
The tick of a clock or watch is the series of short sounds it makes when it is working, or one of those sounds.
He sat listening to the tick of the grandfather clock.
5 [N-COUNT]
You can use tick to refer to a very short period of time. (BRIT INFORMAL)
I'll be back in a tick...
= sec
6 [VERB] V
If you talk about what makes someone tick, you are talking about the beliefs, wishes, and feelings that make them behave in the way that they do. (INFORMAL)
He wanted to find out what made them tick...
7 [N-COUNT]
A tick is a small creature which lives on the bodies of people or animals and uses their blood as food.
...chemicals that destroy ticks and mites...tick away
or tick by tick on
[PHRASAL VERB] V P
If you say that the clock or time is ticking away, ticking by, or ticking on, you mean that time is passing, especially when there is something that needs to be done or when you are waiting for something to happen.
The clock ticks away, leaving little time for talks...tick by
see tick awaytick off
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
If you tick off items on a list, you write a tick or other mark next to them, in order to show that they have been dealt with. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use check off)
He ticked off my name on a piece of paper...
Tick it off in the box.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V n P for -ing/n, V P n (not pron) for -ing/n, also V P n (not pron)
If you tick someone off, you speak angrily to them because they have done something wrong. (BRIT INFORMAL)
His mum ticked him off at home...
Abdel felt free to tick him off for smoking too much...
Traffic police ticked off a pensioner for jumping a red light.
see also ticking off
= tell off
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V-ed P
If you say that something ticks you off, you mean that it annoys you. (AM INFORMAL)
I just think it's rude and it's ticking me off...
She's still ticked off at him for brushing her off and going out with you instead.tick on
see tick awaytick over
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If an engine is ticking over, it is running at a low speed or rate, for example when it is switched on but you are not actually using it. (BRIT)
Very slowly he moved forward, the engine ticking over.
= idle
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If a person, system, or business is ticking over, they are working steadily, but not producing very much or making much progress. (BRIT)
The market is at least ticking over...
1 [N-COUNT]
A tick is a written mark like a V: . It is used to show that something is correct or has been selected or dealt with. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use check)
Place a tick in the appropriate box.
2 [VERB] V n
If you tick something that is written on a piece of paper, you put a tick next to it. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use check)
Please tick this box if you do not wish to receive such mailings...
3 [VERB] V
When a clock or watch ticks, it makes a regular series of short sounds as it works.
A wind-up clock ticked busily from the kitchen counter.
[PHRASAL VERB] V P
Tick away means the same as tick.
A grandfather clock ticked away in a corner.
● ticking [N-UNCOUNT] oft N of n
...the endless ticking of clocks.
4 [N-COUNT]
The tick of a clock or watch is the series of short sounds it makes when it is working, or one of those sounds.
He sat listening to the tick of the grandfather clock.
5 [N-COUNT]
You can use tick to refer to a very short period of time. (BRIT INFORMAL)
I'll be back in a tick...
= sec
6 [VERB] V
If you talk about what makes someone tick, you are talking about the beliefs, wishes, and feelings that make them behave in the way that they do. (INFORMAL)
He wanted to find out what made them tick...
7 [N-COUNT]
A tick is a small creature which lives on the bodies of people or animals and uses their blood as food.
...chemicals that destroy ticks and mites...tick away
or tick by tick on
[PHRASAL VERB] V P
If you say that the clock or time is ticking away, ticking by, or ticking on, you mean that time is passing, especially when there is something that needs to be done or when you are waiting for something to happen.
The clock ticks away, leaving little time for talks...tick by
see tick awaytick off
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
If you tick off items on a list, you write a tick or other mark next to them, in order to show that they have been dealt with. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use check off)
He ticked off my name on a piece of paper...
Tick it off in the box.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V n P for -ing/n, V P n (not pron) for -ing/n, also V P n (not pron)
If you tick someone off, you speak angrily to them because they have done something wrong. (BRIT INFORMAL)
His mum ticked him off at home...
Abdel felt free to tick him off for smoking too much...
Traffic police ticked off a pensioner for jumping a red light.
see also ticking off
= tell off
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V-ed P
If you say that something ticks you off, you mean that it annoys you. (AM INFORMAL)
I just think it's rude and it's ticking me off...
She's still ticked off at him for brushing her off and going out with you instead.tick on
see tick awaytick over
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If an engine is ticking over, it is running at a low speed or rate, for example when it is switched on but you are not actually using it. (BRIT)
Very slowly he moved forward, the engine ticking over.
= idle
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If a person, system, or business is ticking over, they are working steadily, but not producing very much or making much progress. (BRIT)
The market is at least ticking over...