English · Phrasal verb Attested

tick by

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

Meaning · English

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.

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