tick over

idiom

Meaning

To run smoothly and without problems.

Examples

SIMPLE

The engine just needs to tick over for a few minutes.

CONTEXTUAL

While the manager is away on vacation, the office continues to tick over without any major issues.

COMPLEX

The small business managed to tick over steadily throughout the economic downturn, thanks to a loyal customer base and careful financial planning.

Anchors to

tick

Related idioms2entries

01
tick a lot of boxes
Synonym of tick all the boxes.
02
tick all the boxes
To fulfill all the requirements, especially as itemized in a list; to have all the needed characteristics; to complete all the steps in a process in an orderly manner.