tick over
verb
(
intransitive, adverb
)
1.
(
Brit
)
Also
idle.
(of an engine) to run at low speed with the throttle control closed and the transmission disengaged
2.
to run smoothly without any major changes:
keep the firm ticking over until I get back
noun
3.
(
Brit
)
the speed of an engine when it is ticking over
(
as modifier
):
tick-over speed
Slang definitions & phrases for
tick over
tick over
verb phrase
To idle; barely run; operate very slowly
: The motor was just ticking over
(1916+)