tick over
phrasal verbtick over (British English) usually used in the progressive tenses通常用于进行时
(of an engine )发动机 to run slowly while the vehicle is not moving synonym idle空转;怠速运转 The cab was waiting outside, the engine ticking over. 出租车在外面等着,发动机在滴答作响。
(of a business, a system, an activity, etc. )企业、系统、活动等 to keep working slowly without producing or achieving much (没有进展地)徐缓运作