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 blood

3 (singular) the short repeated sound that a clock or watch makes every second

4 (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 later

2 verb

1 (I) if a clock or watch ticks, it makes a short sound every second

2 (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 way

tick away/by phrasal verb

1 (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 pass

tick 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 someone

tick over phrasal verb (I) BrE

1 if a vehicle's engine ticks over, it works slowly without moving the vehicle

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.