tic

Everyday

1. A tic is a sudden movement or sound that a person makes again and again without meaning to, like blinking, shrugging, sniffing or clearing the throat. tree →
2. A tic can be a habit in how someone talks or acts, like always saying «like» (a verbal tic). tree →

In the lessons

In health and PSHE lessons, children may learn that tics are common in childhood, often come and go, and can be part of Tourette's syndrome; people with tics cannot simply stop, so they should never be teased or copied. In writing, a «verbal tic» is a habit word. Phrases: «a nervous tic», «a verbal tic», «motor tic».

Examples

• He has a tic that makes him blink a lot. tree →
• Tics are not something you can just stop. tree →
• My friend with Tourette's has vocal tics. tree →
• Her verbal tic is saying «basically» all the time. tree →
• The tic gets worse when he is tired or stressed. tree →
• We never laugh at someone's tic. tree →

Note

Homophone trap: «tic» (a twitch) and «tick» (a ✓ mark, a clock sound, or a small biting creature) sound the same.