tick
tick — noun
1. a written symbol (✓) placed beside an item on a list or in a document to show th
a written symbol (✓) placed beside an item on a list or in a document to show that it has been checked, approved, or dealt with.
Hiro put a tick next to each finished task on his to-do list.
collocation: put a tick next to [item]
The teacher drew a red tick beside every correct answer on the test papers.
Anong placed a tick next to the items that she had already packed.
collocation: place a tick next to [item]
A single tick on the form shows that the applicant agrees to the terms.
- put a tick
- draw a tick
- place a tick
- add a tick
- give a tick
- check mark
American English equivalent; used in the US and Canada instead of 'tick'
- cross
an X mark used to show something is wrong or not chosen
Usage Note
In British English, 'tick' is the standard noun for the ✓ mark. American English uses 'check' or 'check mark' instead.
Common Mistakes
2. a very short period of time; a moment so brief it feels like the space between t
a very short period of time; a moment so brief it feels like the space between two heartbeats.
I will be with you in a tick—let me save this file first.
phrase: in a tick (meaning very soon)
Sayaka's headache disappeared in a tick after she took the medicine.
Caleb told Gita he would be ready in a tick, but he actually took ten minutes.
Paloma waited a tick before giving her answer to the question.
phrase: wait a tick (pause briefly)
- in a tick
- wait a tick
- hang on a tick
Grammar Patterns
in a tick
a tick
Usage Note
Almost always used in the phrases 'in a tick' (meaning very soon) or 'a tick' (meaning a short pause). This is primarily British informal usage.
3. the short, light, regular sound that a clock, watch, or other timing device make
the short, light, regular sound that a clock, watch, or other timing device makes as its mechanism moves forward.
The only sound in the quiet library was the tick of the old wall clock.
structure: the tick of [device]
Emma lay in bed and listened to the steady tick of her bedside alarm clock.
collocation: steady tick
As the exam began, Hari could hear the tick of the clock on the wall behind him.
Mert put a new battery in the kitchen timer, and its tick returned at once.
- steady tick
- loud tick
- faint tick
- regular tick
- the tick of the clock
Grammar Patterns
the tick of [clock]
Usage Note
Often used in the singular form 'the tick of' + clock name. The sound is specifically the fine mechanical noise, not a loud alarm or chime.
Common Mistakes
4. an informal arrangement in which a buyer takes goods or services immediately and
an informal arrangement in which a buyer takes goods or services immediately and agrees to pay for them later.
In the 1950s many families bought furniture on tick and paid a little each week.
phrase: on tick (informal credit)
Grandpa said he used to get his groceries on tick at the corner shop and settle up on payday.
register: old-fashioned informal
The landlord let the young couple rent the flat on tick for the first month.
The mechanic fixed Emma's car on tick because she was a regular customer.
- on tick
- buy on tick
- get something on tick
- credit
the modern, neutral term used in both British and American English for deferred payment
- installment plan
American English term for paying in regular portions over time
Grammar Patterns
on tick
Usage Note
This sense is informal and now considered old-fashioned even in British English. The modern equivalent is 'on credit' or 'buy now, pay later'. Rarely used in American English.
Common Mistakes
5. a small, eight-legged parasitic creature related to spiders that attaches to the
a small, eight-legged parasitic creature related to spiders that attaches to the skin of animals and humans and feeds on their blood.
After walking through the long grass, Chiara found a tick on her dog's ear.
context: tick on an animal
Hikers in that forest should check for ticks on their skin every evening after hiking.
collocation: check for ticks
Anong removed the tick carefully with tweezers, making sure not to leave the head behind.
collocation: remove a tick with tweezers
Ticks can carry diseases such as Lyme disease, so prompt removal is very important.
- remove a tick
- find a tick
- check for ticks
- tick bite
- tick-borne disease
- mite
a much smaller relative in the same arachnid group; most mites do not feed on large animals the way ticks do
Usage Note
Ticks are arachnids (related to spiders and mites), not insects. They are medically significant because they can transmit Lyme disease and other infections. Check for ticks after spending time in wooded or grassy areas.
Common Mistakes
tick off
phrasal verbto mark items on a list with a tick (✓) to show that they have been dealt with or checked.
Sayaka ticked off each item on her shopping list as she put it into the cart.
The nurse ticked off the patients' names on the clipboard as they arrived for their appointments.
tick off
phrasal verb(informal) to annoy or make someone angry.
It really ticks Mert off when people arrive late without any warning or apology.
The constant noise from the construction site next door ticked off everyone in the building.
tick over
phrasal verb(of an engine or machine) to run slowly while the vehicle is not moving or while not in active use.
The engine of the old van ticked over quietly while Hari waited for the traffic light to change.
During the winter break, the factory machinery was left ticking over at a low speed.
tick over
phrasal verb(of a business, system, or activity) to continue operating at a steady but not very active or exciting level.
The cafe was not busy, but it ticked over with a small number of regular customers each day.
Even with a small team, the project ticked over and met its monthly targets.
tick away
phrasal verb(of time) to pass, especially when it seems to be moving slowly or when there is a sense of urgency or waiting.
The seconds ticked away as Anong stared at the exam paper, unsure where to start.
The final minutes of the game ticked away while the home team held onto a narrow lead.
tick by
phrasal verb(of time) to pass gradually and often slowly, especially when someone is waiting for something.
The minutes ticked by slowly while Chiara waited for the delayed train to arrive.
As the hours ticked by, Paloma grew more worried about her missing cat.
tick along
phrasal verb(informal) to continue functioning or progressing in a satisfactory but unremarkable way.
The small business ticked along nicely even during the economic slowdown.
Tariro's relationship with his flatmates ticked along without any serious arguments.
the hidden desires, feelings, or motivations that explain why a person behaves the way they do.
Asher has always been curious about what makes people tick — their hidden hopes and fears.
After twenty years of marriage, Gita still did not fully understand what made her husband tick.
tick — verb
1. to write a small ✓ by each entry in a list or on a form to show that it has been
to write a small ✓ by each entry in a list or on a form to show that it has been reviewed, approved, or dealt with.
Tariro ticked each name on the attendance list as the students walked into the room.
transitive: tick + [list item]
Before you submit the form, please tick the box that says 'I agree to the terms.'
common usage: tick a box
Emma ticked off every item on her packing list before she closed the suitcase.
The inspector ticked the safety checks one by one on the form attached to his clipboard.
- tick a box
- tick a name
- tick an item
- tick off a list
Grammar Patterns
tick + noun phrase
tick off + noun phrase
Usage Note
This is the standard British verb for marking a checklist. In American English, 'check' is used instead. The phrasal verb 'tick off' means the same thing but is more colloquial.
Common Mistakes
2. when a clock, watch, or other timing device ticks, it produces a series of short
when a clock, watch, or other timing device ticks, it produces a series of short, light, regular sounds as its internal mechanism moves forward.
The old grandfather clock in the hallway ticked steadily all through the night.
intransitive: clock + tick + adverb
Hari could hear his wristwatch ticking loudly in the silence of the empty exam hall.
A small kitchen timer ticked on the counter while the cake baked in the oven.
The clock on the wall ticked so loudly that Paloma could not concentrate on her reading.
structure: so loudly that...
- tick loudly
- tick steadily
- tick quietly
- tick away
- tick by
Grammar Patterns
tick
tick + adverb
Usage Note
This verb is almost always used for mechanical clocks and timers. Digital or electronic devices 'beep' or 'ping' instead of 'tick'. Frequently combined with 'away' or 'by' to describe the passage of time (e.g., 'the clock is ticking').
Common Mistakes
tick away
phrasal verbTo pass gradually, especially when referring to time or a process.
The seconds ticked away as we waited for news.
Time is ticking away; we need to decide soon.
tick by
phrasal verbTo pass slowly, one unit at a time, often used for time.
The hours ticked by during the long meeting.
As the days ticked by, her anxiety grew.
tick off
phrasal verbTo mark an item on a list as completed or to make someone angry.
Please tick off each task as you finish it.
His rude comment really ticked me off.
tick over
phrasal verbTo continue operating at a steady but low level, especially an engine or a business.
The engine ticks over quietly while we wait.
The business is just ticking over until the economy improves.
tick past
phrasal verbTo pass by, used for time moving forward.
The minutes ticked past as the train was delayed.
Another year ticks past without any major changes.
Used to say that time is running out before something happens.
The clock is ticking down to the final exam next week.
With only ten minutes left, the clock is ticking for the team.
To satisfy all the requirements or preferences of someone.
This new job ticks all the boxes for Sara.
Does the candidate tick all the boxes for the position?
The reasons or motivations that cause someone to behave as they do.
I've always wondered what makes my brother tick.
Understanding what makes customers tick helps improve sales.
Word family
- tickernounC1
- tickingnounB2
- tickingadjectiveB2
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
In British English, a 'tick' (✓) is the standard symbol for indicating that something is correct or completed, while a 'cross' (✗) marks an error or rejection. In American English, the same symbol is called a 'check' or 'check mark,' and the verb equivalent is 'to check' rather than 'to tick.' The noun 'tick' is also used informally to mean a moment ('I'll be there in a tick'), which can cause ambiguity — but in context, the ✓ symbol meaning is far more common in written references to forms and documents. Choose 'check mark' when writing for an international or American audience to avoid confusion.
Common collocations
Etymology
The word 'tick' comes from Middle English 'tek' or 'tike,' which originally referred to the light, tapping sound of a clock mechanism. This onomatopoeic sense (imitating the actual sound) appeared in the 15th century. The noun sense for a small arachnid developed separately from a different Old English root 'ticia' related to 'tike' (a small creature). The 'check mark' sense grew out of the verb 'to tick' (mark with a light stroke) in the 18th century, and the 'credit' sense ('on tick') is believed to be a short form of 'on the ticket,' referring to an IOU or credit slip from the 17th century.