/tɪk ||; tɪk/verb1 [I] (used about a clock or watch) to make regular short sounds （指钟表）发出滴答声
2 (US 美 check) [T] to put a mark (√) next to a name, an item on a list, etc to show that sth has been dealt with or chosen, or that it is correct 打钩（表示已作处理、已选定或正确）: Please tick the appropriate box. 请在适当的方框内打钩。
what makes sb/sth tick the reasons why sb behaves or sth works in the way he/she/it does （人行为的）原因；（物运作的）原理:
He has a strong interest in people and what makes them tick. 他对人及其行为的原由深感兴趣。 tick away/by (used about time) to pass （指时间）过去，消逝
tick sb/sth off to put a mark (√) next to a name an item on a list, etc to show that sth has been done or sb has been dealt with 打钩（表示已经完成或处理）
tick over(
informal 非正式) (usually used in the continuous tenses 通常用于进行时)
1 (used about an engine) to run slowly while the vehicle is not moving （指发动机）慢转，空转
2 to keep working slowly without producing or achieving very much 进展缓慢；呆滞