tick over

verb

1. Alsoidle (of an engine) to run at low speed with the throttle control closed and the transmission disengaged
2. to run smoothly without any major changes

   keep the firm ticking over until I get back

noun

1. 1. the speed of an engine when it is ticking over
   2. ( as modifier )

      tick-over speed

Example Sentences

He got the ball, moved it well and kept it ticking over.

From BBC

Many sites had only really been ticking over, if that, for years.

From BBC

That afforded Spirit the luxury of being able to have quieter spells in the chase and stay in touch, with Redmayne calmly keeping the score ticking over.

From BBC

Ancelotti boasts plenty of resources to keep the midfield smoothly ticking over despite the unplanned loss of Kroos, perhaps including a deeper role for Bellingham following the addition of Mbappe to the forward line.

From BBC

And while its upcoming Mario and Zelda games might not be major sequels, it showed that the company can always rely on two of its most popular series to keep fans ticking over.

From BBC