tick all the boxes
verb/ˈtɪk ɔːl ðə ˈbɒksɪz/
Etymology An allusion to check marks made beside each of the items in a checklist.
1
Idiomatic To fulfill all the requirements, especially as itemized in a list; to have all the needed characteristics; to complete all the steps in a process in an orderly manner.
- As a presidential candidate, Sherzai ticked all the boxes. He is Pashtun; . . . he has the necessary respect . . . ; and he possesses a national reputation.2009 May 6, Aryn Baker, “With a Rival's Withdrawal, Karzai's Path to Re-Election Eased”, in Time:
- But he not only ticks all the boxes mentioned by Mr. Martins — musical responsiveness, use of the ballet vocabulary, a striking sense of spatial architecture — he also shows, in this work, much more.2010 November 7, Alastair Macaulay, “Dance Review: Luminaries and Hopefuls Join to Ensure Choreography’s Future”, in New York Times, retrieved 13 Jun 2013:
2 more examples
- "If he continues ticking all the boxes and progressing and improving as he is, I don't think it will be long before he's on top."2011 February 9, “Paul McCloskey bringing army of fans to Amir Khan duel”, in Belfast Telegraph, retrieved 13 Jun 2013:
- Assuming you have ticked all your safety boxes, financial incentives decide priorities.2019 October, Ian Walmsley, “Cleaning up”, in Modern Railways, page 44:
- Related terms
- tick a lot of boxes, check box, tick box