tick over

tick over

1. (intransitive, of an engine) to idle (to run at a slow speed, or out of gear).
2. (idiomatic, of, e.g. a process or a business) To run smoothly and without problems.

   While the boss was on holiday, the deputy made sure things were ticking over in the firm.

   • 2011, The Maccabees, Pelican

     So soon we're too old to carry

     We knew we only had a little while

     In the middle keep ticking over

     Before you know it, parent a parent