tick away
1. (时间)过去
As the minutes ticked away, she became more and more irritated.
随着时间一分一分地过去, 她变得更加不耐烦。
tick off
1. 用记号标出
He ticked off some items on the list.
他在表上标出几个项目。
tick over
1. 接近停滞; 进行缓慢
The business of the company has been ticking over for some time.
这家公司的生意已很久停滞不前了。
to/on the tick
1. 极为准时地
They arrived at six on the tick.
他们六点正准时到达。