tick over
Engine barely moving
To tick over is to run at minimum capacity without stopping—an engine idling, a business operating during a slow period: The shop just ticks over in winter.
Chiefly British.
The image is of a clock or engine continuing its mechanical rhythm, maintaining function without strain or urgency.
Machine producing motion
- purringVibrating vocalization of contentment
- runningSwift foot travel
- warm-upPre-activity preparation routine
- standbyReady substitute awaiting use
neutral · idle · humming · rumbling · coasting · stationary · parked · waiting
Keep something going continuously
- continueGo on without stopping
- functioningWorking as intended
- operatingActively in function
- runningSwift foot travel
working · going · persisting · enduring · surviving · steady · stable · plodding
Only just, almost not
- subsistenceMinimal means of living
- low-levelLacking rank or advancement
- basicFundamental in nature
- modestLacking in pretension
quietly · slowly · gently · softly · adequate · sufficient · undemanding · low-key
engine
Machine producing motion
- purringVibrating vocalization of contentment
- runningSwift foot travel
- warm-upPre-activity preparation routine
standby · neutral · idle · humming · rumbling · coasting · stationary · parked · waiting · background
sustain
Keep something going continuously
- continueGo on without stopping
- functioningWorking as intended
- operatingActively in function
running · working · going · persisting · enduring · surviving · steady · stable · plodding · managing
barely
Only just, almost not
- subsistenceMinimal means of living
- low-levelLacking rank or advancement
- basicFundamental in nature
modest · quietly · slowly · gently · softly · adequate · sufficient · undemanding · low-key · subdued
tick overrev up
Increase power or speed
accelerate · race · roar · stall · cut out
tick oversurge
Sudden powerful increase
boom · grind to a halt · shut down · ramp up · kick into gear