tick down
B1 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words
A clock or timer going down toward zero, like a countdown.
Literal meaning: For a ticking mechanism to count downward — largely transparent.
Meanings
1 B1 neutral
For a clock, timer, or numerical indicator to steadily decrease toward zero.
"The game clock ticked down to the final three seconds as the crowd held its breath."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Most commonly used in contexts involving countdowns, game clocks, or financial indicators falling incrementally. Very common in sports and financial journalism. Can also be used loosely for any decreasing process that suggests a deadline.
Commonly used with
clock timer seconds counter shot clock time
Forms
Base
tick down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
ticks down
he/she/it
Past simple
ticked down
yesterday
Past participle
ticked down
have + pp
-ing form
ticking down
continuous
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Synonyms
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