tick over

Found in Anh - Anh (Wordnet)

Definition Verb : - To operate at a minimum level of activity, often disconnected from a load or purpose; to run slowly or idle without producing significant output or progress. Usage The phrasal verb "tick over" describes a state of minimal, steady operation, typically for a machine like an engine, but it can be extended metaphorically to systems, organizations, or activities. It implies funct...