tick away

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Meaning · English

To count down to zero (i.e. signaling the end (or start) of something).

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

Ticking away the moments that make up the dull day

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “tick away” mean?

To count down to zero (i.e. signaling the end (or start) of something).

Is “tick away” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.