tick over

To keep working or running at a basic, slow level — just enough to stay active.

"He left the engine ticking over while he went inside to pay for the petrol."

Hear it in context

The Mystery of Time | Through the Wormhole | Science Channel

Science Channel · 59:38

We could not make our society tick over

1M SUBS LIVESTREAM

Sticks · 186:32

All of a sudden, this is going to tick over.

1M SUBS LIVESTREAM

Sticks · 186:34

This is going to tick over and it's one mil.

1M SUBS LIVESTREAM

Sticks · 57:52

How to get more subs how we can tick over to 1 mil.

Fallout New Vegas: You Only Live Once Remastered - Part 40 - End of the Road

Many A True Nerd · 15:34

but I wouldn't mind having midnight tick over when I get to Ulysses' Temple.

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