Tick Over Meaning

(idiomatic, of, e.g. a process or a business) To run smoothly and without problems.

Example:   While the boss was on holiday, the deputy made sure things were ticking over in the firm.
2011, The Maccabees, Pelican
  So soon we're too old to carry
  We knew we only had a little while
  In the middle keep ticking over
  Before you know it, parent a parent