tick over phrasal verbphr v British EnglishBrE a) TTCif an engine ticks over, it works while the vehicle is not moving 〔引擎〕空转 Mark left the engine ticking over and went back inside. 马克让引擎空转着，又回到了屋里。
b) CONTINUE/NOT STOPif a system, business etc ticks over, it continues working but without producing very much or without much happening 〔某一系统、公司等〕进展迟滞地缓慢运作 The business is just about ticking over. 公司勉强经营着。
Jane will keep things ticking over while I’m away. 我不在的时候将由简来维持。
keep things ticking over• The parasympathetic is responsible for the day-to-day running of the body, for keeping things ticking over nicely.
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