on the tick —(coll.) punctually; on time:
- I am always here on the tick myself, and I do not see why jurors should not do the same.
Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase in a tick—(coll.) in a moment:
- If I had broken the rules laid down for me I should have been spotted in a tick by a spy.
on tick —(coll.) on credit:
- Here I’ve been struggling to keep our heads above water, and you go and bring home a motorcar on tick.