Definition of ticking off

The phrase "ticking off" originated in the late 1800s and has its roots in the world of horology, or the study of time. During this time, watches were becoming increasingly popular, and mechanical pocket watches, in particular, were in high demand. These pocket watches had a small device called a "ticking mechanism" that made a clicking sound as the watch's hands moved. When a watch was "ticking," it meant that it was functioning properly and keeping accurate time. Over time, the term "tick" came to describe any small, repeating action, and "tick off" or "ticking off" came to mean completing a task, especially a tedious one. In this sense, the phrase has its roots in the idea that completing a task, such as checking items off a list, is like ticking off the "ticks" of a watch as the task is finished. Nowadays, "ticking off" is commonly used to describe completing a task, project, or to-do list, but it can also have a negative connotation, as it can imply that the task is tiresome or unpleasant. In this context, the phrase "tick off" can also be used to mean irritating someone or checking something off a list of things to be done to someone. As a result, the phrase is used both literally and figuratively in modern language.