English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Tick off
Meaning
The idiom "tick off" means to cross something off a list or itemize each day's tasks as they are completed. It is often used to describe the act of keeping track of one's daily activities or progress towards achieving goals.
Usage
- She likes to tick off her to-do list every morning before starting work.
- The project manager asked us to tick off each task as we completed it.
- We often tick off the days until our vacation starts.
- I like to tick off my daily exercises as I complete them.
- He ticked off the items on his shopping list one by one.
Roots and History
The origin of the idiom "tick off" can be traced back to the 16th century when people used to mark off tasks with a stick or pen. The word "tick" comes from the sound that a clock makes, indicating time passing or progress being made. Over time, the idiom evolved to refer specifically to keeping track of daily activities and progress towards goals.
Synonyms in English
- Cross off
- Strike through
- Check off
- Mark off
- Tally
Synonyms in other languages
- チェック (Japanese) - This idiom is used to describe checking something off a list or task as it is completed. It can also be used more broadly to refer to any kind of checking, such as on a report or document.
- Marquerer les points (French) - This idiom translates to "mark the points" and is used to describe the act of crossing off items on a list or marking progress towards achieving goals.
- تCHECK (German) - This idiom is similar to "tick off" in English and is used to describe marking off tasks on a to-do list or keeping track of daily activities.
- לעין בדורה מוצע נפשתא בחיים (Hebrew) - This idiom translates to "marking off milestones in life" and is used to describe progress towards achieving goals or major life events.
- 마크다 (Spanish) - This idiom can be used in various contexts, such as marking off a task on a list or indicating the completion of an assignment or project. It can also be used more broadly to refer to any kind of marking or noting something down.