What does "tick by" mean?

To pass slowly (time) For time to pass gradually, like the ticking of a clock.

How do you use "tick by" in a sentence?

The seconds ticked by. As the hours ticked by... Time ticked by slowly.

Phrasal Verb BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★☆☆ Moderate Neutral

Meaning: To pass slowly (time)

一点点过去；滴答流逝

Transcurrir lentamente

刻々と過ぎる

째깍째깍 (느리게) 시간이 흐르다

For time to pass gradually, like the ticking of a clock.

时间像时钟滴答声一样慢慢流逝。常表达紧张或期待的气氛。

Que el tiempo pase gradualmente, como el tic-tac de un reloj. A menudo expresa tensión o expectativa.

時計の音のように、時間がゆっくりと過ぎること。緊張感や期待感を表すことが多いです。

시계가 째깍거리듯 시간이 서서히 지나가는 것을 뜻한다.

Base verb: tick

Particle: by

Separable: No — the verb and particle stay together

The seconds ticked by.
秒针一秒秒地走过
los segundos transcurrían
秒が刻々と過ぎていった
초침이 째깍째깍 흘러갔다.
As the hours ticked by...
随着时间一点点过去…
a medida que pasaban las horas...
時間が刻々と過ぎるにつれて…
시간이 째깍째깍 흐르면서…
Time ticked by slowly.
时间慢慢流逝
el tiempo pasaba lentamente
時間がゆっくりと過ぎた
시간이 느리게 흘러갔다.

Context: time, waiting, suspense

Tone: tense

From the ticking of a clock.

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal