"Tick off" is a versatile phrasal verb primarily used in informal contexts and carries several meanings based on its usage. Most commonly, it means to make someone angry or annoyed, for example, "The delays really tick me off." This usage is prevalent in casual speech and writing. In British English, "tick off" also means to scold or reprimand someone; parents may tick off children for misbehaving, for instance. Additionally, it can mean to mark off items on a list, reflecting a more neutral context, such as in project management or during shopping, "I ticked off all the items on my to-do list." This use is quite common in everyday, non-formal situations as well. Overall, "tick off" is widely recognized and understood across multiple English-speaking regions, with its meaning often inferred from context.
B2
UpperIntermediate
1. To check or mark items on a list to indicate they have been dealt with.
I ticked off all the items on my shopping list.
She ticked off the names of the attendees as they arrived.
Make sure to tick off each task as you complete it from the schedule.
2. To make someone annoyed or angry.
His rude comment really ticked me off.
Getting stuck in traffic every day ticks her off.
The way he interrupted her presentation ticked her off.