tick over phrasal verb British English (see also tick)

1. if an engine ticks over, it works while the vehicle is not moving:
Mark left the engine ticking over and went back inside.

2. if a system, business etc ticks over, it continues working but without producing very much or without much happening:
The business is just about ticking over.
Jane will keep things ticking over while I’m away.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲