tick over
Upper Intermediate (B2)neutral
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.
The Apple Release Tier List
WVFRM Podcast · 3:54
I need to go to 20." And now it's like one tick over the perfect half circle,