tick by
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
Synonym of tick past.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
The minutes ticked by - nine, eight, seven. The screens behind both goals flashed up images of Scotland fans and their 1000-yard stares. Six minutes to play and Frantzdy Pierrot rises above Grant Hanley and nuts one just wide.
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 by” mean?
Synonym of tick past.
Is “tick by” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.