- tick
- 1
noun
1 (C) a mark () written next to an answer, something on a list etc, to show that it is correct or has been dealt with check 2 (9) AmE: Put a tick in the box if you agree with this statement.2 (C) a very small animal like an insect that lives under the skin of other animals and sucks their blood3 (singular) the short repeated sound that a clock or watch makes every second4 (singular) spoken especially BrE a very short time: in a tick (=soon): I'll be with you in a tick.5 on tick informal old-fashioned if you get something on tick, you arrange to take it now and pay later2 verb1 (I) if a clock or watch ticks, it makes a short sound every second2 (T) BrE to mark a test, list of questions etc with a tick, usually to show that something is correct; check 1 (5) AmE: Tick the box next to the statement that best describes you.3 what makes sb tick informal the thoughts, desires, opinions etc that give someone their character or make them behave in a particular waytick away/by phrasal verb1 (I) if time ticks away or by, it passes, especially when you are waiting for something to happen: We're going to have to make a decision - time's ticking away.2 (transitive tick something away) if a clock or watch ticks away the hours, minutes etc, it shows them as they passtick sb/sth off phrasal verb (T)1 BrE informal to tell someone angrily that you are annoyed with them or disapprove of them: The teacher ticked us off for talking in class.2 BrE to mark the things on a list with a tick to show that they are finished or have been dealt with: She should have ticked off Miss Vine's name on her list.3 AmE informal to annoy someonetick over phrasal verb (I) BrE1 if a vehicle's engine ticks over, it works slowly without moving the vehicle2 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.
Longman dictionary of contemporary English. 2004.