tick off the list

USAGE SUMMARY

"tick off the list" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to mean taking an item, task, or job off a list as you complete it. For example, you could say, "I was able to tick off the list of items I needed to buy at the store."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"This is a big goal of mine that I can tick off the list," he said.

Independent

I feel like we still can't tick off the list of what's required for a democracy: justice, press freedom..

The Guardian

We've beaten all the other Nordic countries in recent years, so Iceland is the last one to tick off the list.

The Guardian - Sport

You can tick off the list: Mr. Einhorn and St. Joe Company Steve Eismann and the profit-making education sector; Carson Block of the investment firm Muddy Waters Research and Olam International.

The New York Times

Besides, what's to see? Like Soho to Londoners, Washington Square to New Yorkers and the Royal Mile to the people of Edinburgh, the Marais is mainly a place to take out-of-towners; one more sight, like the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe, to tick off the list.

The Guardian - Travel

That way, you keep track of who gave you what (it might matter when it becomes a family heirloom years later), and you can tick off the list as you've completed your part of the deal and mailed a thank you note.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Ms. Ko-Bistrong ticked off the list.

The New York Times

He ticks off the list of neighbors who have moved.

The New York Times

You've made it home, with everything ticked off the list.

Independent

You sit there ticking off the list of her good points in your mind while the minutes slowly pass.

The New York Times - Arts

"Major people were coming up to me," he added, ticking off the list of his celebrity guests.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tick off the list" when you want to convey a sense of accomplishment after completing a task or item. For example, "We can tick off the list the first three items after today's meeting."

Common error

Avoid using "tick off the list" in formal academic papers or business reports. Opt for more professional alternatives such as "complete the task" or "finalize the requirement."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "tick off the list" is as an idiomatic verb phrase. It indicates the action of marking an item as completed on a list. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is both correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "tick off the list" is a grammatically sound and commonly used idiomatic expression that signifies the completion of tasks or items on a list. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. Although categorized as uncommon, it appears across various contexts, primarily in news and media. While suitable for general use, it's advisable to consider more formal alternatives in academic or business writing. Knowing its alternatives, such as "mark as completed" or "check off the items" can broaden your expressive toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

check off the items

Focuses on verifying and marking individual items as complete.

mark as completed

Emphasizes the action of noting something's finished state.

cross off the agenda

Specifically refers to removing items from a planned set of tasks.

scratch off the roster

Suggests a more forceful or dismissive removal from a list.

finalize the task

Highlights the completion and official ending of a task.

complete the requirement

Emphasizes fulfilling a necessary condition or standard.

finish the objective

Focuses on achieving a specific goal or target.

settle the matter

Indicates resolving or concluding an issue.

discharge the duty

Highlights fulfilling a responsibility or obligation.

wrap up the project

Suggests the overall conclusion and finalization of a project.

FAQs

How can I use "tick off the list" in a sentence?

You can use "tick off the list" to indicate that you have completed an item on a list. For example, "I was happy to tick off the list my final exam."

What is a similar phrase to "tick off the list"?

Similar phrases include "check off the items", "mark as completed", or "cross off the agenda", all of which suggest completing tasks.

Is "tick off the list" appropriate for formal writing?

While "tick off the list" is widely understood, it is generally more suitable for informal or conversational contexts. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "complete" or "finalize".

What's the difference between "tick off the list" and "check off the list"?

"Tick off the list" and "check off the list" are largely interchangeable and have very similar meanings. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference.