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Glite Dictionary
to tick off

to tick off

4 3.7
Mark something with a check to show it is done
  • phrasal verb
  • /tɪk ɔf/
  • UK
translation icon : marcar
  • After finishing her tasks, she happily ticked off the last item on her to-do list.
  • tick off my list
  • tick off the names
  • tick off a few things

It becomes something to tick off a box on a form.

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Examples

  • She ticked off each need, service, and good.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • He paced back and forth, using his fingers to tick off each question.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • What I want you to do is to tick off any of these items here... ...that particularly trouble you.

    On the Edge (2001)

  • In fact, after I finish this post, I get to tick off an item on the list.

    Blog text (2)

  • So yes, I can tick off plan week off my list and I'm going to get started now with my emails.

  • He ticked off the names on the Pirates' roster.

    Fiction book (1999)

  • Then, methodical as always, I ticked off the above-listed necessities for a good medieval romance.

    Fiction book (1999)

  • Make sure to tick off each item on the checklist once you have completed it.

  • The manager instructed her team to tick off the completed projects to keep track of their progress.

Synonyms

to check
vsto tick off
  • US
∞ 1.0

Mark a box to show it is chosen or finished

is mainly for showing items are dealt with or completed, not for choosing
to mark
vsto tick off
192 1.0

Make a visible line, spot, or sign on a surface

is specifically a symbol for completion or being dealt with, not any visible sign
to tick
vsto tick off
  • UK
50 2.0

To mark a box with a check to show it is chosen or complete

is used to show items are dealt with or completed rather than just selected
to cross off
vsto tick off
35 1.8

To draw a line through an item on a list to show it is finished

uses a small box symbol to mark completion rather than drawing through an entry
to check off
vsto tick off
15 2.5

Mark an item on a list to show it is done

is used in more situations, not limited to lists
to mark off
vsto tick off
1 3.2

To put a line or tick next to an item to show it is finished

is shown by placing a specific box symbol rather than a side symbol
to chalk off
vsto tick off
  • UK
6.5

To mark an item as finished by drawing a line or writing a note

uses a simple box symbol to record dealt with items rather than lines or notes

Antonyms

to uncheck
9 3.8

To remove a mark from a box on a screen or form

How Final

to erase
144 1.6
to cross off
35 1.8
to chalk off
  • UK
6.5
to tick off
  • UK
4 3.7
to mark
192 1.0
note
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

tick off infinitive
ticked off past
ticked off past participle
ticking off present participle
ticks off third person singular

Morphology

tick + off

The meaning 'to mark with a check to show completion' is directly derivable from 'tick' (to make a check mark) combined with 'off' (indicating removal or completion from a list); the particle 'off' signals that an item is being taken off/finished. This compositional pattern is common and aligns with analogous constructions in many languages, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents would likely infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Tick off comes from marking things on a list. Imagine putting a small tick next to a task and taking it off the list when it is finished, and that action is called tick off, which is why it means 'to mark with a check to show something is done'.