what makes (one) tick The things that motivate one or make one behave in a certain way. I'd love to sit you down for an interview so I can find out what makes you tick. Fig. something that motivates someone; something that makes someone behave in a certain way. (Fig. on what makes something tick.) William is sort of strange.

This expression alludes to tick in the sense of "function as an operating mechanism, such as a clock." [ Colloquial; first half of 1900s] The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust.

It means you’re within hearing distance of a ticking clock. Why, did you think it possibly had some other significance? What do you call a person that loves music but hates dancing? What do you call a person that loves music but hates dancing? A straight dude. What does it mean to carry yourself?