colloq. or slang. [f. TICK sb.4]
1. intr. To go on tick (see TICK sb.4 1); to deal with a tradesman, etc., on credit, to take credit; to run into debt, leave ones debts unpaid.
1648. Winyard, Midsummer-Moon, 6. He must tick with Charon, and have his Epitaph writ in chalk.
a. 1683. Oldham, Poet. Wks. (1686), 90. Who thither flock to Ghostly Confessor, To clear old debts, and tick with Heaven for more.
1742. Fielding, Miss Lucy in Town, Wks. 1882, X. 310. I gave that sum to my wife to buy her clothes. Ill take it from her again, and let her tick with the tradesmen.
b. trans. To leave (an amount) owing to be entered to ones debit.
1674. S. Vincent, Y. Gallants Acad., 80. He tick[s] his reckoning, that he may keep half a Crown in his Pocket.
1712. Mrs. Centlivre, Perplexed Lovers, I. i. The Devil a bottle can I tick because he has forsworn the tavern.
2. intr. To give credit; to supply goods, professional aid, etc., on credit.
1712. Arbuthnot, John Bull, III. viii. The money went to the lawyers: counsel wont tick, Sir.
1721. Amherst, Terræ Fil., No. 46. (1754), 247. Smarts in Oxford who cannot afford to be thus fine any longer than their mercers, taylors, shoemakers, will tick with them.
1840. J. T. Hewlett, P. Priggins, xiii. Sykes is your manticks for ever, and never duns.
b. trans. To give (a person) credit.
1842. Apperley (Nimrod), Life Sportsman, v. He never refused me a tandem, and he ticked me for a terrier at once.