tick
gb/tˈɪk/ us/tˈɪk/
A2
English
~ 6600
pipa, kipipál, kullancs, ketyegés, ketyeg, pillanat, szempillantás, kismértékben emelkedik, kismértékben csökken, árfolyamlépés, kismértékű emelkedés, hitelbe vásárlás, kontóra vásárlás
NOUN
A2
1
pipa
A2
Usage pattern:
a tick next to [something]
Put a tick next to the correct answer.
Tegyél pipát a helyes válasz mellé.
Please place a tick in the box if you agree.
Kérjük, tegyen pipát a négyzetbe, ha egyetért.
I put a big green tick by each task I finished.
There was a small tick beside my name on the list.
He drew a tick on the page to show it had been checked.
Learner examples
Put a tick in the yes box.
Tegyél pipát az „igen” feliratú négyzetbe.
I gave each right answer a tick.
Minden helyes válasz mellé pipát tettem.
There is a tick next to her name.
The teacher drew a tick on my test.
Please mark your choice with a tick.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse the noun "tick" (✓) with the verb "check" in American English. In British English, people say "put a tick in the box"; in American English, they more often say "put a check mark in the box". Also, do not confuse "tick" (✓) with "tic", which is a sudden, repeated movement of a muscle.
Meaning
small mark showing correct or chosen
Collocations
put a tick
|tick in the box
|with a tick
|give [something] a tick
Synonyms
check mark (Common especially in American English; means the same symbol (✓).)
|
mark (More general; can be any sign on paper, not only ✓.)
Antonyms
cross (An X-shaped mark (×) that often shows something is wrong or not chosen.)
Themes
education
|work
|daily life
|daily_life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A small mark (✓) that you write next to something to show it is correct, chosen, or finished.
A small written mark (✓), usually placed beside an item on a list or form to show that it is correct, chosen, or completed.
VERB
A2
2
kipipál
B1
Usage pattern:
to tick [something]
Tick the correct answer on the sheet.
Pipáld ki a helyes választ a lapon.
Please tick the box if you want to receive our newsletter.
Kérjük, pipálja ki a négyzetet, ha szeretne hírlevelet kapni tőlünk.
The teacher ticked all the questions I got right.
Make sure you tick every item on the checklist as you go.
She quickly ticked his name off the guest list when he arrived.
Learner examples
Tick the right box.
Pipáld ki a megfelelő négyzetet.
Please tick your choice.
Kérjük, pipálja ki a választott lehetőséget.
The teacher ticked my work.
I will tick each task when it is done.
Did you tick all the names on the list?
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"tick out"* instead of "cross out" when they want to show that something is wrong. Also, in American English, people usually say "check the box" rather than "tick the box", so learners should be aware of this difference.
Meaning
mark something with a tick
Collocations
tick a box
|tick the correct answer
|tick every item
|tick off names
Synonyms
check (Very common in American English, especially with lists and boxes on forms.)
|
mark (General verb for putting any sign on something; does not always imply correctness.)
Antonyms
cross out (Means to draw a line through something to show it is wrong or should be removed.)
Themes
education
|work
|daily life
|daily_life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To draw a small mark (✓) next to something to show it is correct, chosen, or done.
To mark something, especially an item on a list or a box on a form, with a tick (✓) to show that it is chosen, correct, or completed.
NOUN
B1
3
kullancs
B1
Usage pattern:
a tick on [an animal / someone]
The dog had a tick behind its ear.
A kutyának kullancs volt a füle mögött.
Always check for ticks after walking in long grass.
Miután magas fűben sétáltál, mindig nézd át magad, nincs-e rajtad kullancs.
He went to the doctor after noticing a tick bite on his leg.
Ticks can carry diseases such as Lyme disease.
She carefully removed the tick with tweezers.
Learner examples
The dog has a tick on its neck.
A kutyának kullancs van a nyakán.
Check your skin for ticks after the walk.
Séta után ellenőrizd a bőrödet, nincs-e rajta kullancs.
A tick bit his leg.
Ticks can make people sick.
She pulled a tick off the cat.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse the spelling of "tick" (the animal) with "tic" (a sudden small movement of a muscle). They are different words with different meanings.
Meaning
small blood-sucking arachnid
Collocations
tick bite
|remove a tick
|tick-borne disease
|deer tick
Synonyms
parasite (General word for an organism that lives on or in another; a tick is one kind of parasite.)
Themes
health
|nature
|science
|animals
Definition
A very small animal like a spider that lives on the skin of animals or people, bites them, and drinks their blood.
A very small arachnid that lives on the skin of animals or humans, bites them, and feeds on their blood, sometimes spreading disease.
NOUN
B1
4
ketyegés
B1
Usage pattern:
the tick of [a clock / a watch]
The only sound in the room was the tick of the clock.
A szobában csak az óra ketyegése hallatszott.
He lay awake, listening to the steady tick of his old watch.
Ébren feküdt, és régi karórája egyenletes ketyegését hallgatta.
Each tick of the clock seemed louder in the quiet house.
I could hear a faint tick coming from inside the wall.
The tick grew louder as I put the watch to my ear.
Learner examples
I hear the tick of the clock.
Hallom az óra ketyegését.
The watch makes a soft tick.
A karóra halk ketyegő hangot ad.
Every tick is one second.
The room was quiet except for the tick.
She listened to the tick of the old clock.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this noun sense with the animal "tick". In this sense, "tick" is a sound, not an insect, and usually appears in phrases like "the tick of the clock".
Meaning
short regular sound of clock
Collocations
the tick of the clock
|loud tick
|faint tick
|hear every tick
Synonyms
click (A similar short sound, but often slightly sharper or louder than a typical tick.)
Antonyms
silence (The complete absence of sound, the opposite of a repeated ticking noise.)
Themes
time
|technology
|daily life
Definition
A small, quick sound that a clock, watch, or machine makes again and again when it is working.
A short, light sound produced regularly by a clock, watch, or similar mechanism as it works.
VERB
B1
5
ketyeg
B1
Usage pattern:
[a clock / machine] ticks
The old clock ticked loudly in the hallway.
Az öreg óra hangosan ketyegett a folyosón.
Her watch ticked steadily on her wrist.
A karórája egyenletesen ketyegett a csuklóján.
The engine was still ticking after he turned off the ignition.
As the minutes ticked by, he grew more nervous.
The timer ticked softly on the kitchen counter.
Learner examples
The clock ticks all night.
Az óra egész éjjel ketyeg.
Her watch ticks very quietly.
A karórája nagyon halkan ketyeg.
The engine still ticks after I stop the car.
The minutes tick by slowly.
The small clock ticked on the table.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "tick" for any machine sound. It is best used for light, regular sounds, especially from clocks, watches, and sometimes engines, not for loud or irregular noises.
Meaning
make short regular ticking sounds
Collocations
the clock ticks
|engine ticking quietly
|watch ticking away
|time is ticking
Synonyms
click (Often used for similar short sounds, but can suggest a single sound rather than a steady series.)
Antonyms
stop (If a clock or machine stops, it no longer ticks or makes regular working sounds.)
Themes
time
|technology
|daily life
Definition
To make small, regular sounds when working, like a clock or a machine.
To make short, regular sounds while operating, especially of a clock, watch, engine, or similar mechanism.
NOUN
B1
INFORMAL
6
pillanat
A2
Usage pattern:
in a tick
"I'll be with you in a tick," she called from the kitchen.
– Egy pillanat, és ott vagyok – szólt ki a konyhából.
Just a tick, I need to find my keys.
Csak egy pillanat, meg kell találnom a kulcsaimat.
He said he would be back in a tick, but he was gone for half an hour.
Can you wait a tick while I finish this email?
Hold on a tick, I’m almost done.
Learner examples
I will be back in a tick.
Egy pillanat múlva visszajövök.
Just a tick, please wait.
Csak egy pillanat, kérlek, várj.
Can you wait a tick?
He came back in a tick.
Hold on a tick, I need a pen.
Common mistake:
Learners may think "tick" always means the sound or the mark, and not realize it can mean "a short time" in informal speech, especially in British English. It is not normally used in formal writing.
Meaning
a very short moment
Collocations
in a tick
|just a tick
|back in a tick
Synonyms
moment (Very close in meaning; slightly more formal and more widely used.)
Antonyms
age (Informally used to mean a very long time, the opposite of a very short moment.)
Themes
time
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A very short time, like a moment.
A very short moment of time, often used in the expressions "in a tick" or "just a tick".
VERB
B2
TECHNICAL
7
Usage pattern:
[price / rate] ticks up / ticks down
Interest rates ticked up slightly last month.
A kamatok kissé emelkedtek a múlt hónapban.
The company’s shares ticked higher in early trading.
A vállalat részvényei a kereskedés elején kissé feljebb mozdultak.
Oil prices ticked down after the report was released.
Government bond yields have been ticking up all week.
The index ticked lower as investors took profits.
Learner examples
House prices ticked up this year.
A lakásárak idén kismértékben emelkedtek.
The share price ticked down today.
A részvényárfolyam ma kismértékben csökkent.
Interest rates are slowly ticking up.
The euro ticked higher against the dollar.
Gas prices ticked down a little.
Common mistake:
Learners may think "tick up" means a large or sudden change, but in finance it usually describes a very small movement. It is mainly used in news about business and markets.
Meaning
change slightly on a scale
Collocations
tick up slightly
|tick down
|tick higher
|tick lower
Synonyms
edge up (Common in financial news; focuses more on a small upward move.)
Antonyms
plunge (Describes a sudden, large fall, which strongly contrasts with a small movement or "tick".)
Themes
business
|finance
|economy
Definition
To go up or down a little on a number scale, for example when talking about prices or interest rates.
To move by a small amount on a measurement or price scale, especially of financial prices or interest rates.
NOUN
B2
TECHNICAL
8
Usage pattern:
a tick up in [something]
There was a small tick up in inflation last month.
A múlt hónapban kismértékben emelkedett az infláció.
The bond finished the day just a few ticks higher.
A kötvény a nap végén mindössze néhány árfolyamlépéssel magasabban zárt.
A single tick lower in interest rates can affect many borrowers.
Analysts expect another tick up in unemployment figures.
The currency saw only a modest tick down after the announcement.
Learner examples
We saw a tick up in prices this week.
Ezen a héten kismértékű áremelkedést tapasztaltunk.
The stock closed one tick higher.
A részvény egy árfolyamlépéssel magasabban zárt.
There was a tick down in sales last month.
Interest rates moved a few ticks lower.
The index ended the day a tick up.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this noun sense of "tick" with the verb "tick up" and with the mark (✓). In business news, "a tick up" or "a few ticks higher" usually refers to a very small change in prices or rates.
Meaning
small step on scale or price
Collocations
a tick up in prices
|a few ticks higher
|one tick lower
|a tick in yields
Synonyms
notch (Often used to describe a small step up or down in level or rating; not limited to finance.)
Themes
business
|finance
|economy
Definition
One small step of change in a number, price, or level, especially in financial markets.
A single small movement or unit of movement on a measurement or price scale, especially in finance.
NOUN
B2
INFORMAL
9
Usage pattern:
on tick
In those days, many families bought food on tick at the local shop.
Akkoriban sok család hitelbe vásárolt élelmiszert a helyi boltban.
He was already living on tick and could not afford any more debt.
Már így is hitelből élt, és nem vállalhatott újabb adósságot.
They let regular customers take goods on tick until payday.
She got the furniture on tick and paid it off over six months.
The landlord refused to let them stay on tick any longer.
Learner examples
They bought food on tick from the shop.
Hitelbe vettek ételt a boltban.
He lived on tick for many months.
Hónapokig hitelből élt.
She got the sofa on tick.
The store lets you buy on tick.
He cannot get more things on tick.
Common mistake:
Learners may try to use "tick" by itself to mean "credit" in modern, formal situations. This sense is informal and mainly used in older or British contexts, usually in the fixed phrase "on tick".
Meaning
buying on credit, informal
Collocations
buy on tick
|get it on tick
|living on tick
Synonyms
credit (More general and more common; used in both formal and informal contexts.)
Antonyms
cash (Paying immediately with money, the opposite of buying on credit.)
Themes
finance
|shopping
|daily life
|daily_life
Definition
A way of buying things now and paying for them later, not at the same time as you get them.
An informal system of buying goods on credit, with payment made later, especially in older or British usage.
Grammar
Dictionary form
tick
IPA
GB/tˈɪk/
US/tˈɪk/
Syllables & stress
tick (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (tick)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: tick
- Plural: tick, ticks
Verb
- Base: tick
- 3rd Person Singular: ticks
- Present Participle: ticking
- Past: ticked
Word family
Forms
ticks
noun
ticking
verb
ticked
verb
Related words
ticker
noun
Negative and opposite forms
untick
verb
Expressions
in a tick
1/ˈɪn ə tˈɪk/
fixed phrase
informal
very soon, in a moment
Very soon; in a very short time.
Examples
- I'll be there in a tick.
- Dinner will be ready in a tick, so please wash your hands.
- She said she’d call me back in a tick.
on tick
1/ˈɔn tˈɪk/
idiom
informal
buy on informal credit
Buying things now and paying for them later, in an informal way.
Examples
- We used to get groceries on tick from the corner shop.
- He furnished the whole flat on tick.
- They were forced to live on tick after he lost his job.
tick along
1/tˈɪk əlˈɔŋ/
phrasal verb
continue in a steady way
To keep going in a steady, normal way, without big problems or big changes.
Examples
- Things are ticking along nicely at the moment.
- The project is ticking along, but progress is slow.
- With a good team, the department can tick along without the manager for a week.
tick away
1/tˈɪk əwˈeɪ/
phrasal verb
time passing steadily
To pass slowly and steadily, said about time, often with the idea that time is running out.
Examples
- The minutes ticked away as we waited for news.
- She watched the clock hands move as the hours ticked away.
- Time is ticking away before the deadline.
tick by
1/tˈɪk bˈaɪ/
phrasal verb
minutes or hours passing
To pass slowly, one after another, said about minutes or hours.
Examples
- The seconds ticked by in complete silence.
- I watched the hours tick by on the long flight.
- The time ticked by as they waited for the phone to ring.
tick down
1/tˈɪk dˈaʊn/
phrasal verb
technical
decrease slightly, especially prices
To go down a little, especially when talking about prices, numbers, or interest rates.
Examples
- Inflation has started to tick down this quarter.
- Fuel prices ticked down after the government announcement.
- The figure is expected to tick down over the next few months.
tick off
1/tˈɪk ˈɔf/
phrasal verb
mark items on a list
To mark things on a list to show that they are done, chosen, or checked.
Examples
- I ticked off each task as I finished it.
- She slowly ticked off the names on the register.
- Make sure you tick off all the items on the packing list before you leave.
tick off
2/tˈɪk ˈɔf/
phrasal verb
informal
annoy or anger someone
To make someone feel angry or very annoyed.
Examples
- It really ticks me off when people are late.
- Her rude comment ticked him off.
- The new rules have ticked off a lot of the staff.
tick over
1/tˈɪk ˈoʊvɚ/
phrasal verb
run slowly but steadily
For an engine, business, or activity to continue to work slowly but without stopping.
Examples
- The car engine was ticking over quietly.
- The business is just ticking over at the moment.
- Even in August, the office ticks over with a small team.
tick the right boxes
1/tˈɪk ðə ɹˈaɪt bˈɑksɪz/
idiom
satisfy desired criteria
To have the particular qualities or features that people want in that situation.
Examples
- The candidate really ticked the right boxes for the role.
- The design ticks the right boxes for our target market.
- The city ticks the right boxes for young professionals.
tick up
1/tˈɪk ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
technical
increase slightly, especially prices
To go up a little, especially when talking about prices, numbers, or interest rates.
Examples
- Unemployment ticked up again last month.
- Sales have started to tick up after a slow winter.
- Mortgage rates are expected to tick up later this year.
what makes someone tick
1/wˈʌt mˈeɪks sˈʌmwˌʌn tˈɪk/
idiom
what motivates a person
The things that make a person behave and feel the way they do.
Examples
- I’ve always wondered what makes her tick.
- Good managers try to understand what makes their team members tick.
- Spending time with people is the best way to learn what makes them tick.
tick all the boxes
1/tˈɪk ˈɔl ðə bˈɑksɪz/
idiom
meet every requirement
To have all the things that are needed or wanted for a particular purpose.
Examples
- This job ticks all the boxes for me.
- The job ticks all the boxes for me: good pay, short hours, and a friendly team.
- The plan ticks all the boxes for success.
- This hotel really ticks all the boxes for a family holiday.
- Her CV ticks all the boxes the company is looking for.